Strache said that in the time before summer 2017, when the scandalous video was filmed, FPO Deputy Chairman Johann Gudenus, who was also present on the video, was approached by two women when he was depressed after his father's death. The women told him that they were interested in buying the hunting lands of his family, Strache added.
"Presumably, a Latvian EU citizen said she wanted to move to Vienna with her daughter, settle in Austria and invest [money in the country]," the politician said at a press conference.
Strache noted that he had never seen this woman again, and no one in the party had had contact with her, and the party had not received any contributions from her.
READ MORE: Austria Heading for Snap Election After Video Scandal — Reports
Der Spiegel and Suddeutsche Zeitung reported on Friday, citing the video recording that they obtained, that in 2017 Strache discussed the possibility of an acquisition of the Kronen Zeitung newspaper by an alleged niece of a Russian oligarch in order to secure help at the legislative election. The outlets claimed that million-euro deals were discussed at the meetings, including access to government contracts.
The Welt newspaper reported that the conversation, parts of which were leaked to media, had lasted for six hours, adding that the whole situation was likely to be a "trap" for Strache. Der Spiegel shares this point of view saying that the house, where the meeting took place, was equipped with several hidden cameras. It remains unknown, who stands behind this "trap" for Strache.
