Trial against six "Junge Tat" members begins in September in Zurich
On 4 September, the trial of six followers of the far-right group "Junge Tat" begins before the Zurich District Court. The leaders face threats of 15 months imprisonment.
Far-right group in court: charges against "Junge Tat" in Zurich
According to Google News CH — Crime (de), the criminal trial of six followers of the group classified as far-right "Junge Tat" begins on 4 September before the Zurich District Court. At the centre are the two leaders Tobias Lingg (23) and Manuel Corchia (25), who are known as the public faces of the organisation.
The Zurich-Sihl public prosecutor's office is seeking 15 months imprisonment for each of them — six months in custody, nine months suspended. Additionally, there are fines and penalties. The charges include discrimination and incitement to hatred, coercion, breach of public peace and trespass, according to documents released by the court on Friday.
Church action during Pride service
Among the most serious allegations is an incident in June 2022 at the Zurich church of St Peter and Paul. During a well-attended Pride service, the accused entered through a side door and erected a 2.4-metre high wooden cross bearing the inscription "NOPRIDEMONTH". The religious service was disrupted, those present were ridiculed, and material damage of nearly 9,000 Swiss francs was caused to the stone floor. The public prosecutor classifies this as discrimination based on sexual orientation and as an interference with freedom of religion and worship.
Intimidation at children's reading at Tanzhaus
In October 2022, three participants gained access to a "Queer Story Time" children's reading at Tanzhaus Zurich, attended by around 50 people. According to the charge sheet, they secretly recorded conversations and attempted to unfurl a banner. In front of the building, other group members ignited pyrotechnics, chanted slogans and distributed leaflets. Smoke and their show of force caused those present to fear leaving the venue temporarily.
Actions on roofs and structures
The court is also addressing several unauthorised operations on public buildings. In November 2022, members climbed onto the roof of the SBB main railway station in Basel, unfurled a banner bearing the inscription "Deport criminals" and ignited smoke devices. In April 2024, they attached a banner on the subject of remigration at Kesselhaus in Winterthur. As early as May 2022, a construction crane on Zurich's Molkenstrasse had been climbed.
Brawls at Zurich main railway station
Lingg and Corchia are also accused of participating in clashes between rival protest groups at Zurich main railway station in February 2022. Punches and kicks are said to have been thrown. The charges consider this to constitute breach of public peace.
Four further co-defendants
The role of the remaining four co-defendants is assessed by the judiciary as subordinate; they participated in individual actions in varying compositions. One female defendant stands out among them as she is said to have been involved in the action at Tanzhaus as well as in Winterthur. Four of the other participants had previously received separate penalty orders — for trespass, property damage or violations of the explosives law — against which they filed objections. Their cases are therefore now also being tried in court.
Source: Google News CH — Crime (de)