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Swiss far-right personality fined over anti-Semitic remarks 

far right group demonstration in Basel Nov 2018
The controversial remarks were made during a far-right rally in Basel. © Keystone / Georgios Kefalas

A former leader of the far-right Swiss Nationalist Party PNOS (Partei National Orientierter Schweizer), Tobias Steiger, made a speech in 2018 blaming Jews for World War I and II. 

On Wednesday, the public prosecutor’s office in Basel sentenced Steiger to pay a fine for those remarks, according to Zurich-based media group Tamedia.  

Unless he appeals, the far-right activist will need to pay a fine of CHF2,200 ($2,419) in addition to procedural costs and legal fees of over CHF6,000. 

He was also sentenced to a suspended fine of CHF12,800, which he will only have to pay if he breaks the law again. 

Steiger told the Keystone-SDA news agency that he is consulting with his lawyer on whether or not to appeal the decision. 

The controversial remarks were made during a demonstration in November 2018 in the northwest city of Basel. Steiger, who was the Basel area leader for PNOS,  has also questioned the Holocaust on Facebook, according to Keystone-SDA news agency.

Hate speech in public spacesExternal link is a criminal offence in Switzerland.

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