Zurich left-wing activist Stauffacher in court again: 15 months imprisonment demanded
The public prosecutor is demanding 15 months unconditional imprisonment for the left-wing activist over breach of the peace at two demonstrations in Zurich and Basel.
Stauffacher charged with rioting at demonstrations in Zurich and Basel
According to swissinfo.ch, far-left activist Stauffacher must again answer charges before a Zurich court. The public prosecutor is seeking an unconditional custodial sentence of 15 months as well as a fine of 300 francs. Additionally, a DNA profile is to be created. Should the defendant fail to appear at the hearing, the trial will proceed nonetheless. Stauffacher is presumed innocent; the applications of her defence counsel will be announced at the hearing.
The indictment encompasses multiple counts of breach of the peace, multiple counts of violence and threats against authorities and officials, as well as participation in unauthorised demonstrations.
The accusations relate to two incidents. In February 2022, Stauffacher joined a counter-demonstration by the "Zurich Nazi-Free" scene in Zurich, according to the indictment, at which around 2000 people participated. Masked individuals from the crowd attacked police, threw paving stones and restaurant furniture, and damaged several police vehicles. The material damage amounted to thousands of francs. Stauffacher is said to have been in the centre of events for over an hour and a half.
The second incident occurred in February 2023 in Basel at a climate demonstration under the motto "The Climate Crisis is Now!". Up to 500 people marched through the streets. Demonstrators threw stones, paint bottles and firecrackers at police; several officers sustained injuries, including hearing trauma and burn wounds. According to the indictment, Stauffacher was also in the front ranks there, gave a speech with a microphone, and remained in the crowd despite the outbreaks of violence.
Source: Google News CH — Crime (de)