Victims of the accused parents from Horgen: “They were overwhelmed”
Published: Monday, Jan 15th 2024, 13:01
Volver a Live Feed
The daughter of the alleged torturing parents from Horgen told the court on Monday in detail about her parents' "parenting methods". The young woman described how she had been beaten, locked up and tied up by her parents since early childhood.
The violent attacks often came without warning. "Sometimes it was every day, sometimes only once a week," said the daughter, who is now of age, during questioning. "And it came from both of them."
From the age of about five, she was strangled, beaten or kicked. "They pushed me down the stairs and locked me in the cellar, bound and gagged with tape." She can't remember a time without violence.
"Family came first"
To the outside world, the family looked as if it worked. "Family was the biggest thing, family came first." However, her parents were completely overwhelmed. After a particularly serious beating attack, the daughter fled to her grandmother and eventually went to the cantonal police.
According to her daughter, she still suffers greatly from the draconian "parenting methods". "There are days when I can barely get out of bed," she said in tears. She is overwhelmed with everyday things and has problems with her studies. She undergoes therapy and takes antidepressants.
The sister stands by her parents
Surprisingly, however, her sister is on the side of the accused parents. During questioning, she affirmed that her sister had only made up most of the violent assaults. "She always liked to tell stories," she said.
Her father may have beaten her once, but her sister was not a victim. "On the contrary. She terrorized and beat me and my brothers too." She also lashed out at her mother. "Her goal was to witness a court case. She has now achieved that."
The public prosecutor is demanding a four-year prison sentence for both of them for grievous bodily harm. The 45-year-old father's lawyer believes a fine for assault is appropriate. The lawyer for the 44-year-old mother is demanding a full acquittal. The trial will continue in the afternoon with the questioning of the parents.
©Keystone/SDA
Spanish 
English 
German 
French 
Arabic