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Brian Keller is the most famous ex-prisoner in Switzerland. Just two months after his release, he is attracting attention again: in a video that was leaked to SRF, disturbing statements can be heard and he also threatens a prison friend with a knife.
“I will kill you (…)! Your blood will flow, Skorp! (…) Look at this blade, you will get it.” This is what Brian Keller said in a WhatsApp video chat with his former friend Skorp. The former prisoner doubled down on TikTok: “Attack him, hurt him, use violence against him. I challenge you to do so!”
This refers to Skorp, real name Giorgio Lörtscher, also a former prisoner. He was behind bars for aggravated robbery. Today he works as an influencer. He also insults and threatens others online. That’s part of it, but this got out of hand, emphasizes Lörtscher: “I was in prison for a few years myself back then. I’m not afraid. I don’t have any money either. But I’ve become intelligent and I don’t have to get involved with this guy.”
The question arises: To what extent is this a continuation of the previous problems with violence and crimes that have existed?
Forensic psychiatrist Frank Urbaniok considers it problematic that Brian Keller expresses himself so explicitly on social media: “It’s certainly a warning sign that you need to take a closer look. The question arises: To what extent is this a continuation of the previous problems with violence and crimes that have existed? Or to what extent is it something else?”
Legend:
Brian Keller on the day of his release (11/10/2023).
KEYSTONE / Michael Buholzer
The specialist lawyer for criminal law, Kenad Melunovic, classifies from a legal perspective. Even if things get rough among boxers, he says: “These are criminal offenses such as threats, insults and incitement to violence against people. Preparatory actions for serious bodily harm – especially when you think about the knife.”
Reporting on the Brian case began about ten years ago with a “Reporter” film. Since then he has been involved in the judiciary, the media and the public. Last November, the case seemed to come to a temporary end when Brian Keller was fired.
Regular insults on social media
Keller has been talking about boxing and fighting online for a long time. In the social media world in which both Brian Keller and Giorgio Lörtscher operate, insults and provocations are the order of the day.
But: “You have to differentiate between them. What is trash talk on social media and what is reality? Critically, he portrays himself as a person capable of killing someone while referencing his own history. That’s the opposite of awareness of the problem,” says Frank Urbaniok. In some places you get the feeling that the threat doesn’t just take place in virtual space.
Brian talks about “promoting a boxing match”
Like on Sunday evening, when Brian Keller and his colleagues showed up at Giorgio Lörtscher’s, filmed themselves and posted it on TikTok. “In criminal proceedings, Brian Keller must fear that at best preventive detention is an option because he has made his threats concrete by going home to this opponent,” explains criminal lawyer Kenad Melunovic.
Giorgio Lörtscher wants to report Brian Keller on Tuesday. Brian Keller could not be reached for comment. His lawyers also did not comment. However, Brian Keller told “Blick” that the video was just “promotion for a boxing fight”.