Brinek: Buried in a pauper's grave?
How many more times do family members have to find out in the newspaper that their parents were buried in a pauper's grave? The Public Prosecutor's Office ordered the autopsy, the coroner did the autopsy by the order of the Public Prosecutor. Therefore, they must notify the family members of the release of the corpse for the burial.
The father of Mr. N.N. died in a Viennese hospital on 8 May. Mr. N.N. got a quotation for the cremation desired by this father and took care of the formalities. He still suspected that the hospital had made a mistake in the treatment and three days after the death, he reported murder by negligence to the police. The Office of the Public Prosecutor Vienna seized the body and charged the coroner with the autopsy.
Numerous times, Mr. N.N. asked the Office of the Public Prosecutor as well as the municipality of Vienna about the funeral and when he could bury the remains of this father. Again and again, he was told that the deed was still open and that there was no decision about the release of the body. In the mean time, Mr. N.N. took care of further formalities and left his contact details.
Two months after the release of the body by the coroner, the family found out by accident in the newspaper that the father had been buried already in June, in a pauper’s grave. Only by the end of August Mr. N.N. received a letter by the Office of the Public Prosecutor that the investigations had been closed – without informing about the release of the body. Mr. N.N. now asks for an apology and a proper cremation.
Ombudswoman Brinek is stunned: “I wonder how often we have to stand here and discuss such cases. The Office of the Public Prosectur should have notified Mr. N.N. since it closes the investigation.”A representative of the Ministry of Justice said that the Office of the Public Prosecutor receives the approval certificate very late after the coroner releases it which is why the coroner had to notify the relatives. In this case, all the contact details of Mr. N.N. has been disclosed.
Ombudswoman Brinek: „It is the responsibility of the Office of the Public Prosecutor to notify the relatives. This is a case of maladministration at the cost of Mr. N.N. who deserves an excuse and a proper funeral for his father.”
Re-examination: Mansion in Klosterneuburg with natural swimming pond
The neighbours below a property complained that the owner had constructed a natural swimming pond without authorization. Furthermore, a retaining wall against landslide has not been authorized yet and blocks their sight. Besides, the neighbours fear that the wall would not hold.
According to the neighbour, a famous opera singer, the retaining wall was built professionally and safe. However, the building authority pronounced a building freeze because of this wall. Nevertheless, the constructions go on and on and the building authorities turn a blind eye.
Former Ombudswoman Maria Fekter criticized the construction of the wall as well as the building authority Klosterneuburg. Heavy precipitation and humidity penetration could cause the sliding of the wall.
Two years later, the opera singer got his authorization. The neighbours are still worried: Approval certificates say that the static strength of the wall is not sufficient. Up until now, nothing has loosened, but the alteration is obvious. Therefore, they appealed the decision.
„In 2007, the neighbours complained to the police for the first time, in 2010, the proceedings are still not closed while the owner is continuing to build his swimming pond. This treatment of the citizens is unacceptable“, said Ombudswoman Dr. Gertrude Brinek criticizing the authorities.