Six members of 'Junge Tat' charged before Zurich district court
Six far-right activists from the 'Junge Tat' group are appearing in court in Zurich. The group leaders face sentences of up to 15 months imprisonment each.
Trial against 'Junge Tat': leaders risk prison sentences
Six members of the far-right group 'Junge Tat' appeared before Zurich district court on Friday to answer charges. According to reports, the authorities have accused them of various offences, including discrimination, coercion, breach of the peace and trespass.
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 state prosecutor is requesting prison sentences of 15 months for both — six months in custody, nine months suspended. The prosecution is also demanding fines and penalties.
Disruption of a Pride service and a children's reading
Among the most serious allegations is an incident at Zurich's St. Peter and Paul church in June 2022. According to the charge sheet, the defendants 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'. The action disrupted the religious ceremony, mocked those present and caused damage to the stone floor of approximately 9,000 francs. The state prosecutor characterises this as discrimination based on sexual orientation as well as a violation of freedom of belief and worship.
In October 2022, three participants gained access to a 'Queer Story Time' at Tanzhaus Zurich — a children's reading with around 50 attendees. According to the charges, they secretly recorded conversations in the building and attempted to unfurl a banner. Outside the entrance, other group members set off pyrotechnics, chanted slogans and distributed leaflets. According to the charge sheet, smoke and aggressive behaviour frightened those present so much that they did not dare leave the venue temporarily.
Unauthorised actions on rooftops and structures
The court is also dealing with several unauthorised actions at public buildings. In November 2022, group members climbed the roof of Basel railway station, unfurled a banner bearing the inscription 'Deport criminals' and set off smoke bombs. In April 2024, they hung a banner about remigration at the Kesselhaus in Winterthur. As early as May 2022, they had climbed a construction crane on Zurich's Molkenstrasse.
Violent confrontations at the main railway station
The leaders are also accused of participating in violent confrontations between rival demonstration groups at Zurich's main railway station in February 2022. At two opposing rallies, according to the charges, there were physical attacks involving punches and kicks. The state prosecutor considers this to constitute breach of the peace.
Four further defendants
The role of the remaining four co-accused is assessed by the justice system as less central; they participated in individual actions in varying compositions. Among them, according to the court, the only female member accused by the group stands out, who took part in actions at Tanzhaus Zurich and in Winterthur, among others. Initial penal orders were issued against the other participants for trespass, property damage and offences against explosives legislation. Because four of them contested these, their cases are now also being tried in court.
'Junge Tat' is regarded as Switzerland's most prominent far-right group to have emerged in a short period of time.
Source: Google News CH — Crime (de)