Trial against 'Junge Tat': Prosecutors seek custodial sentences in Zurich
Six members of the far-right group face Zurich District Court. The two main defendants each face up to 15 months in prison.
Zurich District Court hears case concerning actions of far-right 'Junge Tat'
As reported by Google News CH — Crime (de), the Zurich prosecutor called for custodial sentences on Friday during the trial against six members of the far-right group "Junge Tat". The prosecutors argued that the defendants' actions had overstepped the boundaries of freedom of expression.
In his closing statement before Zurich District Court, the prosecutor stated that everyone was entitled to hold views that others might find repugnant. However, the law did not protect every means of enforcing a position — no one was entitled to force their opinion on others by means of violence.
Political protest must take place within the rule of law, he emphasised. The defendants were not on trial because they engaged in right-wing politics, but because their methods had exceeded legal boundaries.
Allegations and sentences sought
The two main defendants, Tobias Lingg — the leader of the group — and Manuel Corchia, each face custodial sentences of 15 months. The charges include discrimination, incitement to hatred and trespass, among others.
At the centre of the proceedings are two disruptive actions in Zurich in 2022: an interruption of a Pride service and a disruption of a queer children's reading event. Additionally, unauthorised rooftop protests in Basel and Winterthur are alleged.
During the Pride service, members of the group carried a large wooden cross bearing the inscription "NOPRIDEMONTH" into a Zurich church and placed it there. The prosecution viewed this as a violation of freedom of belief and worship as well as discrimination and incitement to hatred.
Defence contests criminal liability
The lawyers for the two main defendants requested acquittals on most of the charges. Lingg's lawyer rejected the central allegations and pleaded only for a suspended fine for minor offences. Corchia's lawyer requested a complete acquittal.
Regarding the wooden cross, one of the lawyers argued that the action was not punishable: "It cannot seriously be claimed that with a cross bearing the inscription NOPRIDEMONTH the participants were denied their right to exist."
The defence also argued that the action at the "Queer Story Time" reading for children was not punishable. One of the lawyers argued that according to Federal Court precedent, the "sexual orientation" protected by the discrimination provision covers only heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality — but not gender identity, which was the focus of the event. The slogan "Family instead of gender ideology" on a banner was therefore clearly not punishable.
Defendants refuse to give testimony in court
All six defendants refused to testify during their questioning on Friday morning. Outside the courtroom, they were more forthcoming: during the lunch break, they published a brief report on the proceedings so far. Previously, they had fundamentally described the charges as "ideology-based justice". (sda/con)
Source: Google News CH — Crime (de)