Trial against 'Junge Tat': Six far-right extremists before Zurich district court
Six members of the far-right group 'Junge Tat' are facing court over disruptive actions, including a Pride church service in 2022.
Far-right 'Junge Tat' before court in Zurich
Six members of the far-right group 'Junge Tat' were charged before the Zurich district court on Friday. According to Google News CH — Crime (de), they face charges including disruption of a Pride church service at the Catholic church St. Peter and Paul in Zurich, as well as further protest and disruptive actions in which they are alleged to have crossed criminal boundaries.
The public prosecutor is seeking a prison sentence of 15 months for the two main perpetrators, of which six months unconditional, according to the news agency Keystone-SDA. The accused deny most of the allegations and rely on freedom of expression. They remained silent during the trial itself. The defence lawyers applied in the afternoon for acquittal on most counts — particularly on violations of the discrimination penalty provision.
One of the central allegations concerns 19 June 2022: at that time, several masked men from 'Junge Tat' entered the church St. Peter and Paul with a large cross after the church service had already begun. Those present stopped them immediately; the men fled.
In September 2024, the Zurich-Sihl public prosecutor issued six criminal orders against the accused. The authority established that they participated in several disruptive actions — besides the Pride church service also at a drag queen event at Zurich's Tanzhaus in October 2022. The fines imposed ranged between 100 and 180 daily rates, supplemented by additional penalties. As the accused lodged objections, the matter came before court.
The charges include discrimination and incitement to hatred, disruption of religious freedom, and damage to property. Additionally, according to Swiss Radio and Television SRF, they are accused of trespass, coercion, breach of public peace and further offences in connection with a demonstration in 2022 in Zurich.
'Junge Tat' is part of the far-right scene in Switzerland. According to NZZ, it emerged from the neo-Nazi groups Eisenjugend and Nationalistische Jugend Schweiz. The trial is ongoing; when the verdict will be announced remains open. Until then, the presumption of innocence applies to all accused.
Source: Google News CH — Crime (de)