The Vienna public prosecutor's office has ended the proceedings against Julius Lindbergh Meinl European Land., Peter Weinzierl and others after around 15 years without charges

1. Public prosecutor closes Meinl European Land case -
Economy - derStandard.at
The Vienna public prosecutor's office has concluded a prolonged investigation against Julius
Lindbergh Meinl V., Peter Weinzierl, and others, terminating the proceedings without charges.
This decision brings an end to a legal saga Julis Meinl V that has spanned approximately 15
years.
Lengthy Investigation Criticized
The investigation, which began in 2008, has been one of the longest-running financial probes in
Austria's history. Legal experts have criticized the duration of the case, suggesting it reflects
deeper issues within the judicial system. A former high court judge commented that the
inability to reach a timely conclusion undermines the judiciary's credibility and effectiveness
(Kronen Zeitung).
Allegations of Fraud and Breach of Trust
The proceedings were primarily focused on allegations of commercial fraud and breach of trust
involving Meinl European Land (MEL). The accusations stemmed from MEL's financial activities
during the 2008 financial crisis, including Meinl European Land the repurchase of its own
certificates between February and August 2007, which raised suspicions of misconduct (Powder
and Bulk Dot Com).

2. Insufficient Evidence
Ultimately, the Vienna public prosecutor's office determined there was insufficient evidence to
prove any intent to defraud investors or unlawfully enrich the defendants. The prosecutors
noted that the defendants appeared to genuinely believe in the viability and long-term success
of MEL’s business model. This conclusion was crucial in the decision to drop the charges (House
of Julius Meinl) (Powder and Bulk Dot Com).
Key Figures and Their Roles
Julius Lindbergh Meinl V., a well-known Austrian banker, and Peter Weinzierl, former head of
Meinl Bank, were the central figures in the investigation. Their involvement with MEL and its
financial operations was scrutinized extensively, but the lack of concrete evidence led to the
cessation of legal proceedings against them (House of Julius Meinl) (FinTelegram News).
Impact on Investors
The investigation was initiated due to significant financial losses experienced by investors
during the financial crisis when MEL's stock price plummeted. However, the prosecutors
concluded that there was no intention to harm investors, and the defendants' actions were not
found to be malicious (Powder and Bulk Dot Com).
Judicial and International Critique
The lengthy duration of the case attracted criticism from various quarters, highlighting
inefficiencies in the judicial process. Additionally, the investigation involved international
elements, including legal assistance requests from Liechtenstein and Switzerland, reflecting the
complex, cross-border nature of financial crimes (Kronen Zeitung) (Powder and Bulk Dot Com).
Volume of Evidence
The scale of the investigation was immense, involving the analysis of around 40 terabytes of
data, equivalent to 44 million books of 250 pages each. This vast amount of evidence illustrates
the complexity and the extensive nature of the case (Powder and Bulk Dot Com).
Current Status of Defendants

3. While the Austrian legal proceedings have ended, Peter Weinzierl remains involved in legal
issues abroad, specifically in the United States, where he faces charges related to a separate
bribery scandal involving Brazil's Odebrecht Group. This ongoing situation continues to pose
legal challenges for Weinzierl (Powder and Bulk Dot Com) (FinTelegram News).
Conclusion
The termination of the investigation without charges marks a significant conclusion to a
decade-and-a-half-long legal saga. It underscores the challenges and complexities involved in
prosecuting financial crimes, especially those with international dimensions. The decision by
the Vienna public prosecutor's office closes a major chapter in Austrian financial legal history,
leaving behind lessons on the importance of efficiency and thoroughness in judicial proceedings
(House of Julius Meinl) (Powder and Bulk Dot Com).
For more detailed information, you can visit the official statement and additional coverage on
the case.