Swiss family files lawsuit against Colorado authorities
The parents of a Swiss-American boy detained in Colorado for three months on incest charges, have filed a lawsuit against the authorities. They are suing the police and prosecutors for illegally arresting and detaining Raoul Wüthrich.
The lawsuit, filed in a federal court on Tuesday, also names the Denver Post newspaper and the host of a local radio show. It accuses the media of defamation and disseminating false information.
The Wüthrich family is seeking financial compensation for damages, though no figure has been named.
The case sparked a media outcry in Switzerland and other European countries, after it was revealed how the boy was taken from his home in handcuffs, after being denounced by a neighbour.
The neighbour alleged she saw 11 year-old Raoul sexually assaulting his five year-old sister. The family said he was merely helping her urinate.
A judge dismissed the charges three months later on a technicality, saying the boy’s right to a speedy trial had been denied. The Wüthrich family moved to Switzerland after his release.
swissinfo with agencies
More
Swiss reject plans for bigger motorways and extra rights for landlords
More
November 24, 2024 votes: the results from across Switzerland
More
Seven lessons from the November 2024 Swiss referendums
More
Switzerland votes on motorway expansion, tenants’ rights and health insurance
More
Switzerland jostles to attract mobile millionaires
In compliance with the JTI standards
More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.