The Austrian’s fairytale rise from unknown youth leader into an international political star and chancellor at just 30 ended abruptly in October 2021, however, when he was forced to resign amid a flurry of accusations of corruption.
Prosecutors indicted Kurz for giving false testimony to parliament while testifying before a special committee investigating whether he played a role in selecting a new head for the state holding company known as ÖBAG.
Kurz insisted he hadn’t, but private text exchanges between the former chancellor, his aides and other associates that subsequently came to light suggested otherwise, according to the prosecution’s case.
Though it would have been well within Kurz’s purview as chancellor to influence the decision, prosecutors said the revelation would have been politically embarrassing, and alleged that he gave misleading evidence to cover it up.
Prosecutors also suspect him of misusing public funds to pay for doctored public opinion polls, though he has yet to be indicted in that case. Kurz denies any wrongdoing in that case.
Since his resignation as chancellor, Kurz has worked as a consultant for Silicon Valley investor Peter Thiel and started a cybersecurity firm in Israel with Shalev Hulio, who co-founded the company behind the Pegasus spy software.
Friday’s conviction is likely to complicate his new career because many international companies have rules against conducting business with convicted felons.
