Austria’s former chancellor Sebastian Kurz charged with perjury to parliamentannounced the Austrian prosecutor’s office for economic crimes and corruption, which is investigating the corruption scandals that have rocked Austria.

According to the announcement of the anti-corruption prosecution, Sebastian Kurz is accused of lying in 2020 before a parliamentary committee investigating whether he had interfered in the appointment of his own man, Thomas Schmidt, as head of a public holding company.

His trial will begin on October 18.

It is the first indictment against the 36-year-old who faces three years in prison.

The man who rose to political prominence to become the world’s youngest elected leader was led to resign from the chancellorship amid scandals in October 2021 and has since disappeared from political life.

“The charges are false and we look forward to the truth shining through in court,” Kurtz said in a tweet (X).

Sebastian Kurz had denied any role when the revelations came. But, in the spring of 2021, SMS exchanges between the two men were leaked to the press showing that the appointment had been discussed between them.

In a message accompanied by tender emojis, Kurtz wrote: “You will have everything you want.” And Thomas Schmidt had replied: “I am so happy. I love my chancellor.”

In another case, Sebastian Kurz is suspected of embezzling public funds to finance his political rise, by ordering fake polls and articles praising him to be published in high-circulation tabloid newspapers. Regarding this case, the investigation is ongoing.