Overview
- The 76-year-old addressed the Hullis opening in Munich-Riem with a roughly one-minute message, his first public statement since his July conviction.
- He told guests he could not attend "for known reasons" and offered well-wishes to the organizers, prompting sustained applause in the tent.
- The Landgericht München I sentenced him to four years and three months for insolvency-related offenses and fraud, a term not yet being enforced.
- Prosecutors say they are assessing if necessary treatment can be provided in prison, so the execution of his sentence remains paused during the review.
- The menu included a dessert homage to his signature geeister Kaiserschmarrn, even as restaurateur Michael Käfer publicly questioned the wisdom of the video appearance.