12 years in prison for Schmidheiny: What you need to know to convict the Swiss industrialist

They died from exposure to asbestos at the Eternit factory in Casale Monferrato, where fiber cement products were produced. The defense immediately announced that it was appealing. The decision has not been finalized yet. Schmidheiny was charged with deliberately killing 392 people at the trial. The prosecution demanded life imprisonment and the defense sought acquittal.

What role does Schmidheiny play? What accuses the Italian judiciary of Schmidheiny? Why are Eternit products so popular even though they are dangerous? Blick answers the most important questions about the megaprocess.

Why is Schmidheiny accused everywhere in Italy?

According to Italian justice, Schmidheiny is said to be responsible for thousands of Eternit-related deaths. He has been dealing with this case for nearly 40 years. Deaths have also occurred at the Swiss factories in Niederurnen GL and Payerne VD. However, they expired 10 years after coming into contact with the hazardous asbestos. It’s different in Italy. There, the statute of limitations only begins after the onset of illness or death. The Schmidheiny family managed the Eternit factory in Casale, Piedmont, from 1976 to 1986. Schmidheiny took over the band from his father in 1976 when he was 28 years old. He resigned from the top in 1986.

What accuses the Italian judiciary of Schmidheiny?

At the end of 2009, Stephan Schmidheiny was accused of causing the asbestos deaths of more than 2,000 workers and residents due to the failure to take safety precautions at several Italian Eternit factories. For example, they are said to be processing asbestos without masks. The prosecutor charged Schmidheiny — $2.3 billion, according to “Forbes” — and a partner of being responsible for 2056 deaths and 833 illnesses. Since then, several lawsuits have been filed in various Italian provinces.

What is the strategy of Schmidheiny’s lawyers?

Schmidheiny’s legal representatives argued for years that he was not directly responsible for the operational management of factories in Italy. Rather: He was responsible for Eternit’s introduction of alternatives to asbestos in the late 1970s. It started the end of asbestos processing. Therefore, they demand acquittal.

Why is asbestos so dangerous?

Anyone who inhales asbestos fibers should be afraid of lung cancer and mesothelioma – cancer of the pleura and peritoneum. Scientists proved this in the early 1960s. However, the consequences of contact with the substance usually only become noticeable after decades. This is why many cases in Switzerland were barred after ten years. Asbestosis or asbestos black lung was known in the early 1930s.

Why were Eternit products so popular?

Asbestos was a popular building material: it was practical, inexpensive, and fireproof. Gray, corrugated roof panels, pipes or flower boxes are particularly well known in this country. They still stand in the tens of thousands on the country’s window sills. But the material was also used generously in house construction. For example, as panels for construction and gaskets, or as brake and clutch linings for automobiles.

What can be done about asbestos in buildings?

Although now banned, asbestos can still be found in countless older structures. Houses built between 1960 and 1990 have an almost 100% chance of containing asbestos. Bonded asbestos in fiber cement panels, floor and wall coverings poses a risk when processed with a hammer or drill because carcinogenic fibers can be inhaled. Specialized companies are needed for the removal of asbestos. Work is carried out with protective clothing and masks. Renovations are time consuming and costly. The 26-storey Sulzer tall building in Winterthur ZH was renovated within a few years.

How is it going from here?

Schmidheiny cannot escape Italian jurisdiction anytime soon. The processes continue at the old locations in Naples and Turin. In Naples, Schmidheiny was sentenced to three years and six months in prison for the negligent murder of a former worker. He objected. The negligent killing of two people in Turin was sentenced to four years in prison. Here too Schmidheiny extended the provision. This is not yet legally binding.