Eight years' imprisonment sought: prosecution takes firm stance against Pascal Jaussi in S3 trial
The federal prosecution has requested an eight-year prison sentence without probation in the trial against S3 founder Pascal Jaussi. The 44-year-old must answer to the economic criminal court of Fribourg canton for fraud and other offences.
Eight years' imprisonment sought: prosecution takes firm stance against Pascal Jaussi in S3 trial
The prosecution has requested a severe sentence in the trial against Pascal Jaussi, founder of Swiss Space Systems (S3). On the third day of proceedings before the economic criminal court of Fribourg canton, prosecutors Raphaël Bourquin and Laurianne Sallin requested an eight-year prison sentence without probation. They justified this with the extraordinary seriousness of the guilt, the substantial damage caused, and the large number of injured parties.
The 44-year-old businessman from La Chaux-de-Fonds must answer to charges in proceedings with 22 counts of indictment. At the centre is the allegation of fraud. The prosecutors accused Jaussi of being "in a tight spot, prepared to do anything to save the dream of his life". In March 2013, he had founded S3 in Payerne with the aim of democratising access to space through reusable systems for launching mini-satellites. After initial reports of success, however, financial difficulties quickly followed, ultimately resulting in insolvency assets of 31.6 million francs.
"This case is not one of a dream that became too big, but rather one of crossing the line between persuasion and deception," explained prosecutor Bourquin. Jaussi could have stopped operations at any time but had taken "senseless risks". The prosecution also demanded that the judges consider an immediate arrest, as there was a risk of flight.
Source: Le Temps
Source: Le Temps