Zurich City Police Officer in Court: Violence Against Shackled Asylum Seeker
A 35-year-old city police officer is facing charges of abuse of office at Zurich District Court. He allegedly assaulted a shackled detainee in October 2023.
Zurich Police Officer Charged With Assault of Detainee
A 35-year-old city police officer from Zurich appeared before Zurich District Court on Wednesday afternoon. According to Google News CH — Crime (de), the public prosecutor has charged him with abuse of office.
According to the indictment, the incident occurred in October 2023 during a transport from the special commission at Bahnhofquai to the detention wing of the Kripo building. The victim had his hands shackled behind his back and was, according to the charge, cooperative — at no point aggressive.
During the transport, the accused allegedly pushed the shackled man's head against the wall two to three times. Additionally, he struck him several times deliberately with his fist in the ribs and kicked him with a shoe to the back of the head, according to the indictment.
Further assaults occurred in the cell. Because the detainee did not immediately comply with a request to kneel due to a language barrier, the officer kicked him in the back of the knee. As the man crouched on the ground, the police officer delivered further kicks against his leg. Due to the shackles, the victim was unable to defend himself.
The public prosecutor is requesting a conviction for abuse of office and a suspended fine of 180 daily rates of 110 francs each with a probationary period of two years. Additionally, it is seeking an unconditional fine of 4,000 francs. According to the indictment, the accused knowingly applied unjustified violence and accepted the victim's pain willingly.
Source: Google News CH — Crime (de)