After nearly 600 days in prison, a couple in Switzerland was released after their daughter admitted that she had fabricated the allegations of sexual and physical abuse that had led to their conviction.
The case, which had sparked intense reactions across the country, began in 2021 when the then-14-year-old accused her mother and stepfather of a series of abusive acts. Her allegations included beatings, kicking, being struck with objects, and sexual abuse by her stepfather.
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The ice in Switzerland is melting rapidly
The Zurich Regional Court had ruled at the time that the minor’s allegations had a “high degree of credibility.” In July 2021, the girl’s stepfather was sentenced to three years in prison, while her mother received a 22-month sentence.
During the appeal hearing in 2023, the Higher Regional Court increased the sentences, sentencing the stepfather to 50 months for aggravated bodily injury and multiple counts of sexual abuse of a minor, while the mother was sentenced to 47 months for aiding and abetting.
At the same time, however, evidence began to emerge that raised questions about the credibility of the teenager’s testimony. During the initial trial, her teachers reported that she had a history of making false allegations, and she had also spoken of experiences in which she heard voices.
“I just wanted my freedom”
Today, at the age of 19, the young woman officially withdrew her allegations and admitted that she had lied.
According to the Daily Mail, citing the Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger, she stated in her written confession that she fabricated the accusations because “she just wanted her freedom.” She also claimed that she never intended to file a formal complaint with the police.
Following her confession, the Supreme Court overturned her parents’ convictions, while a preliminary investigation confirmed the authenticity of her statement and found no evidence that the young woman had been pressured to change her testimony.
The Zurich Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office has already launched a criminal investigation against her for false accusation, obstruction of justice, and unlawful deprivation of liberty.
Questions About the Investigation’s Flaws
The case has sparked a new round of debate in Switzerland about how the authorities came to convict two people without adequately evaluating the contradictions. The teenager’s initial allegations were particularly detailed. She had claimed that her parents beat her with their fists, kicked her, chairs, and a vacuum cleaner, and had described incidents of sexual abuse by her stepfather at home and in the garden. She had even mentioned that she wore many layers of clothing to protect herself from the abuse.
Her allegations resulted in her and her younger siblings being removed from the family home and placed with foster families. However, a report examining the case states that warning signs—such as previous false statements, contradictory information, and suspicious WhatsApp messages, were not adequately assessed either by the experts or later by the courts.
They are seeking hundreds of thousands of euros in compensation
The legal ordeal is expected to have financial consequences for the couple who were wrongfully imprisoned. Their lawyers are seeking a total of 240,000 Swiss francs (approximately 255,000 euros) in compensation for the time they spent in custody.
At the same time, defense costs, including attorneys’ fees and expert witness fees, have exceeded 340,000 Swiss francs to date, an amount equivalent to more than 361,000 euros.
Source: Proto Thema
