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16. 08. 12. - 17:00

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16. 08. 12. - 17:00

Body of missing lawyer found in Lower Austria

Police believe the body of missing lawyer Erich Rebasso who was kidnapped in Vienna nearly three weeks ago has been found in a forest near Königstetten in Lower Austria.

It is reported that a hunter came across the body on Thursday morning. DNA tests are currently being carried out to confirm the identity.

At present there is no further information.

Only yesterday Vienna police confirmed that two Russians have been arrested in connection with the disappearance of Vienna based lawyer.

The two men were arrested in Moscow as part of a joint operation between Vienna police and Russian police.

Police confirmed that the two men arrested are the same two who rented a car in Vienna, where later blood traces of the lawyer were found.

The men had hired the car using their real passports in the Austrian capital allowing authorities to easily track them down.

Rebasso was last seen when he left his office at around 14.45 on a Friday afternoon nearly three weeks ago in Vienna to travel to an appointment in Lower Austria.

Police believe the lawyer was kidnapped after studying CCTV footage. The lawyer was seen going to his car in an underground car park, but footage of the car leaving the car park shows someone else at the wheel of his Mercedes.

After detective work police have been able to identify the kidnappers.

Rebasso's silver Mercedes was found in Vienna's Simmering district and there were traces of his blood on the car.

Police launched a search for top business lawyer Erich Rebasso Europe wide and believed there were traces to Russia.

The father of the Vienna based lawyer thought is offering a 100,000 Euro reward to anyone who gives over information which leads to his son’s release.

Andreas Rebasso the father of the lawyer said:  "My son is a very correct person. He is a very talented Russian speaker. He won a Russian prize aged just 17. After completing school he began studying law.

"He never lost his interest in Russian language and culture. We were totally behind him when he started specialising in Russian clients."

Rebasso is a business lawyer who also deals with data protection and media law amongst other things.

Rebasso became well known in the mid 1990's when he represented Erika and Helmut Pilhar who were trying to stop a life-saving medical procedure from being carried out on their daughter Olivia.

Rebasso had numerous Russian clients but some years ago was named in a fraud case in Russia where between 25 and 30 investors were cheated out of between fifty and sixty thousand Euros each. Rebasso went to the police and claimed his name was wrongly being linked with the con, and he was not involved.

The lawyer then sought to clear himself of any involvement. The case was later dropped.

The lawyer nevertheless continued to receive threats via post.

Police fear that due to these circumstances a crime could have been committed.

Rebasso’s father said: "My son didn’t have anything to do with these dealings. The fraudsters stole his letter headed paper.

"My son is not the type to be involved in dubious, dodgy business dealings."

Vienna Times

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