The Trial

The Trial

116 mins | Documentary | Nov. 5, 2011

At 6am on May 21, 2008, armed police burst into the apartment of Austrian dog trainer and animal-rights activist Sabine Koch, arresting her. After three months in custody, Koch, together with 12 other animal-rights activists, went on trial. They were charged with being members of a criminal organisation and therefore breaching article 273a of the Austrian Penal Code, introduced in the wake of 9/11. The article’s intention is to allow the state to stifle terrorist activity. Years of observation, house searches, and undercover agents – the police left no stone unturned in its bid to prove the animal-rights activists’ guilt. The sobering result: five million Euros worth of investigation, no proof and a great deal of scepticism towards the Austrian justice system – and democracy itself. Filmmaker Igor Hauzenberger captures one of the highest profile cases this alpine republic has ever seen.

The Trial

116 mins | Documentary | Nov. 5, 2011

The Trial
At 6am on May 21, 2008, armed police burst into the apartment of Austrian dog trainer and animal-rights activist Sabine Koch, arresting her. After three months in custody, Koch, together with 12 other animal-rights activists, went on trial. They were charged with being members of a criminal organisation and therefore breaching article 273a of the Austrian Penal Code, introduced in the wake of 9/11. The article’s intention is to allow the state to stifle terrorist activity. Years of observation, house searches, and undercover agents – the police left no stone unturned in its bid to prove the animal-rights activists’ guilt. The sobering result: five million Euros worth of investigation, no proof and a great deal of scepticism towards the Austrian justice system – and democracy itself. Filmmaker Igor Hauzenberger captures one of the highest profile cases this alpine republic has ever seen.
Producers FrameLab Film
Original title Der Prozess
Directors Gerald Igor Hauzenberger
Writers Ebba Sinzinger, David Wingate, Gerald Igor Hauzenberger

Cast

Martin Balluch

as himself

Felix Hnat

as himself

Sabine Koch

as herself

Jürgen Faulmann

as himself

Chris Moser

as himself