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Stephan Schmidheiny was charged at first instance with violating occupational health and safety rules in the Eternit-bis trial in Novara. The prosecution had demanded life imprisonment, the defense acquitted.
The court also imposed a five-year ban on the Swiss entrepreneur and set a provisional amount of more than 100 million euros, of which 50 million euros alone for the municipality of Casale Monferrato. The Schmidheiny family managed the Eternit factory in Casale in the Piemonte region from 1976 to 1986.
Immediately there was criticism from Schmidheiny’s spokeswoman Lisa Meyerhans. The Novara court “does not appreciate in its judgment the clear evidence of Stephan Schmidheiny’s innocence,” it said in a statement to the Keystone-SDA news agency on Wednesday night.
The court ruled out clear intent, which is why “many of the alleged acts” are time-barred. However, the verdict was “clearly illegal” as Stephan Schmidheiny could not be charged with negligence, his spokeswoman said.
The Eternit SEG group led by Schmidheiny was a major shareholder of Eternit Italia S.pA from 1973 until its bankruptcy in 1986. Stephan Schmidheiny, who took over the management of Eternit SEG in 1976 at the age of 28, is the younger brother of Thomas Schmidheiny, the major shareholder of Swiss cement manufacturer Lafarge-Holcim.
Stephan Schmidheiny’s lawyers have always argued that their client was not directly responsible for running the company.
It has long been no secret that asbestos is hazardous to health. As early as the 1930s, asbestosis or asbestos black lung had become known. Those who inhale asbestos fibers should also fear lung cancer and mesothelioma – cancer of the pleura and peritoneum. A scientist proved this in the early 1960s. Since then, tens of thousands of people have died from these diseases.
(SDA)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
