A few weeks ago, Report24 reported on home visits carried out by the police to unmask “test cheats”. In the meantime, the suspicion has been strengthened that police inspections were commissioned to bring in cases of “test fraud” in a targeted manner. Because the procedure is always the same without any real evidence. If the suspect remains silent, the investigation will be discontinued.
In Austria: Police are now making home visits because of “test fraud”, we reported on January 29th about a case where out of the blue police officers turned up at a family who, like millions of other Austrians, had sent in a PCR test. They claimed they had secured DNA samples from the lab and that they knew everything, all they had to do was confess.
Investigations discontinued
The case is now closed. Because there was nothing to confess – and there were no DNA samples either. The investigating officer didn’t want to remember ever having said anything like that. For observers of this and other cases, it was clear from the start that it was a question of police interrogation tactics. Accusing someone of a crime, claiming there is evidence or witnesses – and waiting for the person to freely confess.
This is exactly how all Austrians have been “convicted” who have been accused of this PCR test fraud. In none of the cases we investigated did the police have any evidence. Quite the contrary, they had nothing in their hands, they may have questioned fellow citizens selected largely at random and wanted to induce them to confess. Apparently, the number of unreported cases of saliva samples sent in by other people is very large, because in fact some official “hits” were achieved in this way.
Another case in the Gmunden district
In Gmunden, the authorities pursued a man for whom a PCR test was “positive” with a Ct value of 25 at a shorter interval and “negative” the second time. The report, it is assumed, was made by an overzealous official from the district administration. Here, too, a large number of threats were set up, the man was to be forced to submit a DNA test without being able to show him a signed order from a public prosecutor or judge. The legality of a DNS acceptance is disputed in the present case, the legal basis is set out in § 67 SPG.
The technical feasibility
In practice, it is virtually impossible for the police to actually have usable DNA samples from the saliva test in one of these cases. First of all, you have to know that the samples in the laboratory are destroyed immediately after they have been evaluated. No laboratory has the capacity for storage, which would have to be structured and also requires strong cooling. In order for a government agency to actually have a saliva sample, a planned offense of sending in someone else’s saliva would have to be known in advance – and the agency would have to know to which laboratory the submission is being made. Only then could such a sample be secured. It is questionable whether this would be possible without a court order.
You can also give the all-clear to all those who suspect that every saliva sample that goes to a test laboratory undergoes DNA sequencing. This is also not technically possible, would take too long and cause too much effort. And it would be grossly illegal, because the saliva sample is only sent in for a test for Covid-19 and not for a genetic analysis. So you really have to be a professional criminal or have been reported by someone in order to initiate such complex investigations in advance – or the content of the tube sent to the laboratory is so dubious that a separate investigation is plausible. However, it must not be forgotten that the sample tubes are never sterile, not even before you take the saliva sample yourself. And even after delivery, all sorts of practical jokes can still be played with it, since the samples are not safely locked away until they are evaluated.
Here again our advice from the lawyer:
That is what a lawyer recommends in such cases
The reproach: “Allegedly, DNA samples were seized and you have evidence that the accused citizens cheated on the test.”
- Make of yours Right to Withhold Testimony Do not say anything about the situation either at the front door or at the station. Anything you say can and will be used against you, no matter how friendly and understanding the officers act. These are investigative tactical tricks, they want to lure you into a trap. The following applies to the police and later also to the court: accused or defendants have that right to remain silent and must not be forced to testify. Nobody is forced to incriminate themselves.
- Don’t sign anything.
- Contact a lawyer. If you are asked to make a statement, you may need to appear at the station, but you don’t have to say anything. If you think it makes sense and you can afford it financially, take a lawyer with you.
- Under no circumstances should you provide a DNA sample without your lawyer being present and in consultation with you. The relevant legal situation can be found here.
- Finding the truth happens in court and not between door and hinge or at a police station. No matter what you are told, nothing you say before a possible court hearing will help you later – on the contrary.
These tips do not replace a legal consultation or legal information from someone who is trained and authorized to do so. Always talk to an attorney if you need legal help.
