Racism Swiss man stands trial for racist incidents Hinwil

A 40-year-old Swiss man who harassed two dark-skinned youths on a basketball court has to answer to the Hinwil district court today, Monday. He also gave them the Hitler salute and insulted them as "niggers".

The man from the Zurich Oberland region has been in prison since the incident in October 2023. On a Sunday afternoon, he insulted a dark-skinned teenager on a basketball court as a "nigger" who should go back to Africa. According to the indictment, he then ordered him to leave the facility and never enter it again.

Hammer taken out of the rucksack

When the intimidated teenager was outside the metal fence, the accused approached him with a hammer, which he apparently had with him in his rucksack. He then hit the hammer several times against the fence at head and neck level. The teenager must have feared that the Swiss man would hurt him with the hammer.

According to the indictment, the accused then went to another youth and gave him the Hitler salute with his bare upper body. Because he had "never seen a black man in a German brand of clothing" - the youth was wearing an Adidas trainer jacket - he then took out his cell phone and photographed him.

The public prosecutor's office is seeking a conviction for the unemployed draughtsman with a criminal record for multiple threats, multiple discrimination and incitement to hatred as well as multiple insults. The prosecution demands that he be punished with an unconditional prison sentence of 12 months and a fine of 180 daily rates of 30 francs. The 180 daily rates include the 120 daily rates of an earlier conditional fine, which is now also to be enforced.

Instead of prison, however, the public prosecutor wants to send the accused to a clinic. The prison sentence is to be postponed in favor of an inpatient measure. The alleged racist is therefore to undergo therapy behind bars. It remains to be seen when the verdict will be handed down.

SDA