Court convicts Mass-Voll leader for calling deceased minister a 'murderer'

The District Court in the Swiss canton of Thurgau, in the city of Frauenfeld, has issued a verdict in the high-profile criminal case against Nicolas Rimoldi, chairman of the right-wing and populist party Mass-Voll. The politician was found guilty of the crime of defamation (übler Nachrede) of the late Doris Leuthard, a former member of the Federal Council (the federal government) and transport minister. In his online posts and comments, Rimoldi referred to Leuthard as a 'murderer' (Mörderin). Doris Leuthard was one of the most recognizable Swiss politicians of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. A member of the Christian Democratic People's Party (CVP), she served in the federal government for twelve years, where she was responsible for, among other things, transport policy. Her decisions, promoting sustainable mobility and road safety, were often criticized by motoring groups and parts of the public. She died in 2023 after a long and serious illness.The basis of the charges were Rimoldi's statements, which directly referred to the transport policy pursued by Leuthard during her term in office. Specifically, it concerned the decision to lower the speed limit on selected sections of Swiss highways from 120 km/h to 100 km/h. Rimoldi, known for his provocative style and sharp criticism of the establishment, considered these actions a drastic restriction of citizens' freedom. In his defense, he emphasized that his words constituted harsh, yet permissible in a democracy, political criticism. „Das war politische Kritik. Meiner Meinung nach haben ihre Entscheidungen die Freude am Autofahren in der Schweiz getötet.” (That was political criticism. In my opinion, her decisions killed the joy of driving in Switzerland.) — Nicolas Rimoldi The court, however, did not share this argument, finding that the use of the word 'murderer' in reference to a deceased person exceeds the boundaries of permissible criticism and constitutes an unlawful violation of her personal rights, which under Swiss law are also protected after death. In terms of sentencing, the court imposed a suspended fine on Rimoldi. This means the politician does not have to pay it immediately, provided he does not commit a similar offense during a probationary period. Additionally, he was ordered to cover the court costs. The verdict is not yet final, as Rimoldi, according to media reports, has announced his intention to appeal. This means the case will be reconsidered by a higher instance, likely the Cantonal Court of Thurgau or even the Federal Supreme Court. This decision will prolong the process and keep the case in the public spotlight. The Rimoldi case has sparked a lively debate in Swiss media and public space. It touches on the fundamental tension between freedom of speech, guaranteed by the constitution, and the protection of an individual's honor and dignity. On one side are supporters of unrestricted political criticism, who believe public figures, even after death, should be subject to evaluation. On the other side are those who emphasize the necessity of maintaining basic respect for the deceased and their families and point to the negative social effects of hate speech online. The verdict in Frauenfeld could set a precedent for future cases concerning the defamation of deceased persons in the digital age.