ISTANBUL

An Australian appeals court on Monday acquitted former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz of making false statements to a parliamentary inquiry, while a conviction against his former chief of staff was upheld, according to Austrian media.

The Vienna Higher Regional Court overturned a lower court’s February ruling that had handed Kurz an eight-month suspended sentence for allegedly downplaying his involvement in board appointments at Austria’s state holding company OBAG, public broadcaster ORF reported.

Prosecutors had accused Kurz of trying to obscure his role during testimony to the “Ibiza” inquiry committee. But the court ruled that the “objective elements of false testimony were not met” and found that his answers “did not conceal any significant facts.”

The court also said that Kurz had acknowledged his involvement during the hearings and that footage showed he had not been given time to fully explain himself.

In contrast, the court upheld a six-month suspended sentence for his former chief of staff, Bernhard Bonelli. Judges found Bonelli guilty of giving false testimony when he claimed ignorance of Kurz’s preference for businessman Siegfried Wolf as OBAG supervisory board chairman.

Evidence from message exchanges and Bonelli’s own admission during the main hearing confirmed his awareness, the court said.

Defense arguments questioning the impartiality of the lower court judge, Michael Radasztics, were dismissed. The court said no personal ties existed between the judge and any political figures involved in the case.

Speaking after the ruling, Kurz expressed relief.

“I have always said I told the truth,” he said, adding that he would return home to his family and issue further statements in the coming days. He also voiced regret over Bonelli’s conviction, calling him “a person of integrity.”

Austria’s ruling People’s Party (OVP), which Kurz once led, welcomed the decision.

“After a very lengthy trial, it has become clear that the allegations were unfounded. I am happy for Sebastian Kurz,” said party leader and Chancellor Christian Stocker. OVP General Secretary Nico Marchetti also reaffirmed the party’s confidence in Kurz.

Kurz still faces a separate legal case involving the OVP’s alleged use of public funds to commission political polling and shape media coverage. He denies wrongdoing and is presumed innocent.

Former aide Thomas Schmid, now a crown witness, is also under investigation.