Junge Tat members on trial over LGBTQ events

Six members of the Swiss far-right Junge Tat movement went on trial in Zurich on Friday on charges including inciting hatred over disruptions of LGBTQ events.

The case centres on actions by the group, including at a church service during the 2022 Zurich Pride Festival and at a children's reading session by drag queens. The main focus is on group leaders Tobias Lingg and Manuel Corchia, who could face prison sentences of up to 15 months if convicted.

About 150 demonstrators gathered outside the courthouse, booing the two men and holding banners calling for convictions and opposing Nazis in Zurich. Lingg and Corchia responded by signalling to the crowd to shout louder and unfurled a banner in German saying: “Family rather than gender ideology.”

Before the trial, Junge Tat launched a social media petition calling the charges “politically motivated” and demanding protection for “freedom of opinion”. Corchia told reporters: “We'll see today to what extent freedom of expression is truly preserved in Switzerland.”

Inside court, the six defendants refused to answer the judge's questions during the morning session. Singer and LGBTQ activist Brandy Butler, who is among the plaintiffs, said it was disappointing to see members of Junge Tat “not taking the court seriously”.

Butler organised a 2022 Drag Story Time event that Junge Tat activists disrupted with flaming torches, anti-LGBTQ slogans and threats against organisers. The readings were later cancelled for safety reasons.