Trial against "Junge Tat": six far-right extremists to appear before Zurich district court from 4 September
On 4 September, the trial begins in Zurich against six members of the far-right group "Junge Tat". The leaders face 15 months imprisonment.
Leaders of "Junge Tat" in court: prosecution demands custodial sentences
As reported by Google News CH — Crime (de), the trial against six supporters of the far-right group "Junge Tat" begins on 4 September before the Zurich district court. The accused are alleged to have committed a series of offences in different compositions.
At the centre of the proceedings are the two leaders Tobias Lingg (23) and Manuel Corchia (25), who regularly appear publicly for the organisation. The Zurich-Sihl public prosecutor's office is seeking a custodial sentence of 15 months for each of them — six to be served, nine suspended. In addition, the prosecution is seeking fines and penalties. The accused are charged with discrimination and incitement to hatred, coercion, breach of the peace and trespass, as set out in documents made available by the court on Friday.
Disruption of a Pride service in Zurich
Among the most serious allegations is an incident at the St. Peter and Paul church in Zurich in June 2022. The accused entered the building through a side door during a well-attended Pride service and erected a 2.4-metre-high wooden cross bearing the inscription "NOPRIDEMONTH". According to the indictment, they thereby disrupted the religious ceremony, mocked those present and caused damage to the stone floor of approximately 9,000 francs. The public prosecutor regards this, among other things, as discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation as well as interference with freedom of belief and worship.
Intimidation at children's reading in Tanzhaus Zurich
In October 2022, three of those involved gained access to a "Queer Story Time", a children's reading attended by approximately 50 people in Tanzhaus Zurich. Inside, they are said to have secretly recorded conversations and attempted to unroll a banner. Outside the building, other group members set off pyrotechnics, chanted slogans and distributed leaflets. According to the indictment, the people present were so intimidated by smoke and the martial behaviour that they were unable to leave the venue for a time out of fear.
Actions on roofs and structures
The court is also dealing with several unauthorised actions on buildings. In November 2022, members climbed onto the roof of the SBB central station in Basel, unfurled a banner with the inscription "Deport criminals" and set off smoke canisters. In April 2024, they attached a banner on the Kesselhaus in Winterthur on the subject of remigration. As early as May 2022, they had climbed a construction crane on Zurich's Molkenstrasse.
Breach of the peace at Zurich central station
The two leaders are furthermore accused of taking part in violent clashes between rival protest groups at Zurich central station in February 2022. During two opposing demonstrations, there were fist blows and kicks. The prosecution regards the presence and support of the violent crowd as constituting the offence of breach of the peace.
Four other co-defendants
The role of the remaining four co-defendants is considered by the judiciary to be of secondary importance. They participated in individual actions in changing compositions. One accused woman from the group was involved, among other things, in the incident at Tanzhaus Zurich as well as in Winterthur. Four of those involved had lodged objections against separately issued penalty orders for trespass, property damage or offences against the explosives law — their cases are now also being heard before the court.
Source: Google News CH — Crime (de)