Man faces Zurich court for assault with gymnastic club
Published: Thursday, Dec 14th 2023, 05:00
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A 39-year-old man is to stand trial at Zurich District Court on Friday for allegedly beating a 58-year-old friend to death with a wooden gym club. According to the indictment, this was caused by the acquaintance rolling the joint too slowly.
In the early evening of March 3, 2022, a resident contacted the police because shouts for help and the sounds of a violent argument were coming from his neighbor's apartment in Zurich-Altstetten.
The officers finally came across the 58-year-old man in the apartment, who was critically injured. The perpetrator had fled. The victim succumbed to his injuries in hospital six days later.
Joint twisted for attackers
Five days after the attack, the police were able to arrest a suspect, the 39-year-old Iranian, who is now charged with intentional homicide. According to the indictment, the victim had rolled a joint for the alleged perpetrator shortly before the attack.
According to the indictment, the 39-year-old defendant asked where his joint was. When the 58-year-old replied that it would take some time, the accused grabbed a wooden club of the type used in gymnastics.
He used this club to hit the older man several times in the head. According to the indictment, he also kicked and punched the victim. The man suffered severe head injuries and injuries to his upper body, from which he ultimately died.
15 years of expulsion
The public prosecutor's office will not announce the sentence demanded until the trial. Prison sentences of between five and twenty years are possible for intentional homicide. According to the indictment, the man is to undergo outpatient therapy while serving his sentence.
The indictment also demands a 15-year ban from Switzerland and the entire Schengen area. It is not yet clear when the Zurich District Court will hand down its verdict.
©Keystone/SDA
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