After the Signa debacle – real estate investor René Benko arrested – News

• Former real estate investor and Signa founder René Benko was arrested in his villa in Innsbruck.
• “The economic and corruption public prosecutor’s office has ordered the arrest of Signa founder René Benko,” said the authority in Vienna.

The arrest was carried out by the Soko Signa of the Federal Criminal Police Office. “Both the risk of committing a crime and the risk of collusion are assumed as grounds for detention,” it continued. Benko’s lawyer Norbert Wess confirmed his client’s arrest, the “Standard” reported. Wess could not immediately be reached at his office for further information.

Also in the sights of the Italian justice system

There are several proceedings against Benko in Austria. The Economic and Corruption Public Prosecutor’s Office (WKStA) is investigating the suspicion that the Signa Group’s solvency was allegedly faked when a bank loan was extended in the summer of 2023. According to earlier information from the WKStA, the investigations against Benko personally involved, among other things, the fact that he had sold assets, such as a sports car, expensive weapons and other things, hidden or without appropriate consideration and thereby prevented the satisfaction of creditors.

The justice system in Italy has also targeted Benko. The Innsbruck public prosecutor’s office had confirmed that a European arrest warrant had been issued against Benko.

Signa Holding, the parent company of Benko’s trading and real estate empire, filed for bankruptcy in November 2023, marking the largest bankruptcy in Austrian economic history. Benko himself filed for personal bankruptcy in March 2024.

The consequences of the Signa bankruptcy had also reached Germany – it affected numerous properties and projects in city centers, but the Galeria department store chain was also part of Benko’s empire. In addition to the investigations in Austria and Italy, investigations are also underway in Germany and Liechtenstein.