After riots in the derby: court in Zurich convicts FCZ torch thrower

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The Zurich court has sentenced an FCZ fan to 17 months in prison for attempted grievous bodily harm. The 23-year-old Swiss threw a burning flare at the opposing fans after a football match in October 2021.

The prison sentence was suspended with a two-year probation period. The convicted person only has to go to prison if he commits another crime during the probation period. In addition to the prison sentence, he was fined 200 francs and must pay legal costs of more than 3,000 francs.

The court ruled that throwing the torch, as demanded by the public prosecutor, was an attempt to cause serious bodily harm. The suspect stated during the trial that he did not intend to hurt anyone with the torch.

His lawyer referred to video footage showing that the torch landed on the deserted tartan track and not in the opponent’s fan sector. The suspect must therefore be acquitted of the charge of attempted grievous bodily harm.

Torches of up to 2000 degrees were thrown

The incident happened during the city football derby FC Zurich against GC Zurich on October 23, 2021 at the Letzigrund Stadium. After the match, about 60 FCZ supporters stormed onto the field and towards the GCZ fan sector.

According to the Public Prosecution Service, several burning rescue torches were thrown towards the WG fans. These reach temperatures of up to 2000 degrees Celsius and can cause serious burns.

The decision of the Zurich court is not yet legally binding. It can be taken to the higher court. (SDA)

Source : Blick