The man who showered Zurich health director Natalie Rickli (SVP) with apple spritzer in August 2021 was due to appear in court in Hinwil ZH on Tuesday. About 20 supporters accompanied him. He described the incident as a knee-jerk reaction.
The 45-year-old admitted in court that he squeezed the apple spritzer bottle and sprayed it in the direction of the governing council. But he certainly wasn’t aiming in the face and had no intention of hurting or frightening her.
The Swiss said he wanted to interrupt an interview with Rickli at the opening of the vaccination bus in Gossau ZH. This is because she described vaccination as the only cure for Covid. But he was aware that he had chosen the wrong path.
Increasing frustration
Wanting to protect the children, his loved ones and relatives from the harmful effects of the vaccination, he wrote to Rickli, the Federal Office of Health and the Federal Council, but never got a reply. His lawyer described growing frustration as the cause of the “quick action”, Rickli calling her a “vaccination hardliner”.
The judge asked if the suspect could understand the health director’s fears after the attack with an unknown liquid. “I can imagine you’re scared,” the 45-year-old said.
His lawyer asked for an acquittal, partly because his rights of defense had been violated. In addition, Rickli continued to conduct interviews shortly after the attack, without visible effects. Other politicians are said to have waived criminal charges after cake or milkshake attacks. An example should probably be made from her client.
The verdict will be announced in the afternoon.
penalty order not accepted
The trial came about because the suspect did not want to accept a punishment order. The penalty order provided for a conditional fine of 90 x 140 francs and a fine of 2,700 francs.
Rickli was not injured in the apple spritzer attack in Gossau ZH. According to the sentencing order, she only felt itching in her eye. The attacker ran away but was stopped by police. A plainclothes police officer was injured during the arrest.
The prosecutor has found the attacker guilty of violence and threats against authorities and officials, property damage and negligent bodily harm. (SDA)