Zurich district court – public prosecutor assesses Diethelm’s version as a protective claim – News

• In the case of the Schwyz SVP cantonal council, the public prosecutor’s office held its plea.
• She assesses Bernhard Diethelm’s version as a protective claim and demands a prison sentence of four years and a fine of 1,000 francs.
• In the afternoon, the plea of ​​the defense follows.

According to the prosecutor, the 26-year-old sex worker’s injuries indicate choking and a struggle. The mere bumping, which the Schwyz cantonal council had admitted, could not explain why the woman was “covered with injuries”.

During the questioning, the accused, Bernhard Diethelm, testified that there had been a dispute about the prostitutes’ payment. In chats he is said to have offered her 4,200 francs for her services, but then he is said to have only carried 1,500 francs with him on site. However, the prosecutor does not believe it is credible that the payment triggered a dispute.

The alleged victim’s lawyer demanded compensation of 7,000 francs for the physical and psychological consequences. Her client always stated clearly and stringently, while Diethelm put forward different versions.

Accused Schwyzer denies allegations

In his questioning, Bernhard Diethelm denied the serious allegations. According to him, the sex worker bit him because of a dispute over money. When he fought back, he may have injured the woman. “I saw red, I apologized for that.”

I saw red, I apologized for that.

He pushed the woman and she fell to the ground. That could have been more intense. But he didn’t do more. When she started screaming at the top of her lungs, he fled.

Did Diethelm have a narcotic with him?

When asked why the plaintiff’s nose had been burned, Diethelm had no answer. He denied having chloroform or anything similar with him.

However, it could be proven that the SVP politician googled “buy chloroform legally” 45 minutes before the meeting – a judge held this against him. “I can no longer explain that,” said Diethelm.

There was no discussion today about the allegation of illegal pornography. Diethelm has admitted to sending the woman pictures of animal sex and having them on his phone.

He is said to have choked the sex worker

At the beginning of the hearing at the Zurich district court, the 26-year-old sex worker described in tears how the Schwyz cantonal council had attacked and choked her. According to their statements, Diethelm had previously booked them for meetings. However, everything remained within limits.

I was afraid for my life.

That morning in 2021, the 40-year-old suddenly grabbed her from behind and choked her when she wanted to ask him about the payment. There had never been a dispute about money before, the woman said.

According to the indictment, Diethelm tried to stun her. “I was afraid for my life.”

No resignation

The SVP of the canton of Schwyz had demanded the suspension of Diethelm’s membership after the allegations became known from the local Wägital party.

The politician spoke to the media last week about a private matter that has nothing to do with his political activities. The prosecution is based one-sidedly on the statements of the prostitutes.

A resignation as a cantonal councilor would be an admission of guilt for him. He feels prejudiced by the media.

It is the presumption of innocence.