A 62-year-old Syrian man is facing trial in Austria, accused of fraudulently claiming nearly €200,000 in social benefits over a decade.
Prosecutors allege that from August 2014 until January 2024, the man unlawfully received a monthly minimum income of up to €1,400 and health insurance benefits, despite having Turkish citizenship — a detail that could have affected his eligibility for such support.
As reported by Exxpress, the case dates back to the man’s arrival in Austria in 2013, when he sought asylum and received housing and support in Burgenland, following his initial stay at the Traiskirchen asylum center.
He claimed to be fleeing the Syrian civil war, but authorities later discovered a Turkish passport in his apartment, raising questions about his nationality. This prompted Austria’s immigration authorities to initiate procedures to potentially revoke his asylum status, leading to the current investigation.
According to his defense lawyer, Muna Duzdar, the defendant maintains he is innocent, arguing he provided accurate information to Austrian officials, who granted him residence based on subsidiary protection.
In court, the defendant, who has dual Syrian and Turkish citizenship, asserted he had always been forthcoming with authorities. He stated that his only recent stay in Turkey was approximately a year and a half ago, and his family members hold only Syrian citizenship.
When questioned by the judge about whether he was informed to disclose all nationalities, he responded that he was instructed to “answer exactly,” implying he did not believe his dual nationality was relevant.
The man has mostly been unemployed in Austria and is currently relying on state handouts nearing €1,400 a month despite living in the country for 11 years.
The judge has postponed the trial to allow time for the outcome of ongoing immigration proceedings.
