Nicolas Rimoldi, chairman of the right-wing party Mass-Voll, has been convicted by a court in Frauenfeld for defaming the memory of the late Transport Minister Doris Leuthard. The politician was given a suspended fine and ordered to pay court costs. The case concerned comments published online in which Rimoldi called Leuthard a 'murderer' for her decisions regarding speed limits on Swiss motorways. The trial gained prominence as it touches on the boundaries of free speech and respect for public figures after their death.

Verdict for defaming the deceased

The district court in Frauenfeld found Nicolas Rimoldi guilty of committing the crime of defamation. The case concerned comments on social media in which the politician called the late former Transport Minister Doris Leuthard, who died in 2023, a 'murderer.' The basis for the charge was the protection of the memory and honor of deceased persons.

Suspended fine

The imposed penalty was a suspended fine. The exact amount of the financial penalty was not disclosed in all sources. Rimoldi was also ordered to cover the costs of the proceedings. The verdict is not final, as the convicted person has the right to appeal.

Background: dispute over speed limits

The defamatory statements referred to Doris Leuthard's transport policy from her time as head of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications. Rimoldi, an advocate for higher speeds, criticized the speed limits of 80 km/h introduced on some motorway sections during her tenure, arguing that such decisions were harmful.

Reaction and political context

Nicolas Rimoldi is the chairman and founder of the Mass-Voll party, which is described as right-wing and populist. The party is known for controversial campaigns, often focusing on immigration and Swiss sovereignty. The case has sparked a debate about the limits of free speech in public life, especially concerning deceased persons.

The district court in the Swiss town of Frauenfeld convicted Nicolas Rimoldi, chairman of the right-wing party Mass-Voll, for defaming the late former Transport Minister Doris Leuthard. The verdict was delivered on March 5, 2026. In online comments, Rimoldi called Leuthard a 'murderer,' referring to her decision to introduce lower speed limits on certain sections of motorways in Switzerland. The court found these statements constituted the crime of defamation, violating the personal rights of the deceased politician. The imposed penalty was a suspended fine, and the politician was ordered to cover the costs of the proceedings. The verdict is not final, as Rimoldi has the right to appeal. Doris Leuthard was an influential Swiss politician from the Christian Democratic People's Party. She served as a member of the Federal Council from 2006 to 2018, serving two terms as President of Switzerland. She died in 2023 after a long illness. Her transport policy, including the promotion of sustainable mobility and speed limits, was controversial among some motoring circles.The Rimoldi case fits into a broader debate about the limits of free speech online and the duty of respect towards public figures after their death. The prosecution argued that the protection of honor does not expire with death, whereas Rimoldi's defense could have invoked the context of political criticism. Nicolas Rimoldi, the founder of the Mass-Voll party, is known for his provocative statements and campaigns against immigration and the institutions of the European Union.„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

Mentioned People

  • Nicolas Rimoldi — Chairman and founder of the Swiss party Mass-Voll, convicted for defamation.
  • Doris Leuthard — Former transport minister and President of Switzerland, died in 2023, whose memory was the subject of defamation.