Nils Melzer, the United Nations special rapporteur on torture, has written to the Swiss government to complain about the treatment of the violent repeat offender known as “Carlos”.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/dos
Humanitarian law specialist Melzer, who is Swiss, wrote to the foreign ministry to ask that Carlos’ conditions be eased. The prisoner is currently in solitary confinement at a high-security centre in canton Zurich.
Under UN norms, solitary confinement should only be used in exceptional cases, and not for longer than 15 days. Speaking to Swiss public radio SRF on Monday, Melzer said that it was now “almost three years” that Carlos had been held under such conditions.
Canton Zurich justice authorities said in response that Melzer had made the accusations “without having met the accused [Carlos]”, which was “prejudicial and against the law”.
They also said Melzer’s comments were not accurate: Carlos can in fact receive visits from his family each week, contrary to accusations. He can also speak regularly with family and his lawyers, the justice department said.
More
More
Young offender scheme cost CHF1 million
This content was published on
Zurich cantonal authorities said they were “satisfied” by the findings. They had earlier defended their choice to give a young offender known as “Carlos” a special individual programme, saying it had made a difference. The case has provoked a wider debate about how best to deal with violent young offenders. Carlos benefited from a year-long special treatment…
They also confirmed that the Swiss National Commission for the Prevention of Torture would be visiting the detention centre in question for an inspection on July 2.
Carlos, whose real name is Brian, was first arrested at the age of 10. Since then, he has served various sentences, including for stabbing another teenager in 2011.
He became the centre of media attention when it emerged in 2013 that he was the subject of an individual rehabilitation programme that cost almost CHF30,000 per month.
He goes on trial again on Wednesday, accused of attempted grievous bodily harm on warders and other inmates during a 2017 prison fight. He is accused of almost 30 separate incidents involving threats and violence. The Zurich public prosecutor’s office has also initiated new proceedings for an additional 30 assaults against prison warders and police officers.
The Zurich Supreme Court will decide if he should be kept behind bars, undergo therapy in prison or be released. His lawyers, who say his current conditions amount to torture, want his immediate release.
More
More
Newsletters
Sign up for our free newsletters and get the top stories delivered to your inbox.
Swiss authorities announce cost-cutting in asylum sector
This content was published on
The government notably wants to improve integration into the labour force, particularly for people with protection status S.
Various leaders confirm participation at Ukraine peace conference
This content was published on
The presidents of Poland, Finland, and Latvia and the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium will be at the Swiss-hosted talks in mid-June.
This content was published on
In the winter season up to April 2024, railway and cable car operators ferried 3% more visitors compared to the previous winter, and 5% more than the five-year average.
Rhine flooding: Swiss to invest CHF1 billion with Austria
This content was published on
As part of an international agreement with Austria, the Swiss government wants to pump CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion) into flood protection measures along the Rhine over the next three decades.
Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation
This content was published on
After months of debate, Switzerland plans to give CHF10 million ($11 million) to the UN agency this year, rather than the CHF20 million initially foreseen.
Swiss study: insects mainly migrate at midday and dusk
This content was published on
A study led by the Swiss Ornithological Institute in canton Lucerne is helping to better understand the movement patterns of migratory insects.
Red Cross: 22 staff killed in Middle East since October
This content was published on
The Red Cross and Red Crescent network in Gaza and Israel has lost 22 staff members since last October, the Swiss Red Cross (SRC) said on Wednesday.
Dortmund’s Kobel is first Swiss goalie in Champions League final
This content was published on
Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel has achieved history by becoming the first Swiss goalkeeper to reach a Champion’s League final.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
This content was published on
Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
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.
Read more
More
Switzerland’s leniency on criminals, explained
This content was published on
When compared with many other countries, Switzerland tends to hand down shorter sentences, particularly for violent crime.
Detainees in Swiss prisons at lowest level in a decade
This content was published on
Statisticians say the fall in numbers could be linked to Covid-19 restrictions, but that longer term trends still need to confirm this.
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.