Despite understanding for Frei.Wild: Court acquits 20 Minutes journalist

The members of the South Tyrolean German rock band Frei.Wild felt that he was pushing them into the far-right corner. With its acquittal, the High Court overturned a ruling by the Zurich district court from October 2016. The court had sentenced the 44-year-old journalist to a conditional fine (Werbewoche.ch reported). The trial was triggered by a series of pictures entitled "When harmless clothing becomes a provocation". It showed 18 examples of items of clothing that are often worn by right-wing extremists - including a T-shirt by Frei.Wild. "Right-wing extremist convictions can also be conveyed more covertly, for example through T-shirts by bands such as Frei.Wild, Landser or Skrewdriver," the journalist wrote.

At the trial on Friday, he argued that he had not described the band Frei.Wild as right-wing extremist with his caption. Rather, he had written that there are right-wing extremists who like to wear their shirts. That is not the same thing.

"Unfortunate enumeration"

The court came to the same conclusion. The band was not actually accused of being right-wing extremist. The Frei.Wild shirt is just an example of how non-political objects are used by certain people to make a statement. However, the judge expressed "a certain amount of understanding" for the band. Listing Frei.Wild in the same sentence as proven right-wing extremist bands such as Landser and Screwdriver was perhaps somewhat unfortunate. But even that is not defamatory.

Love of country, friendship and honor

The band's lawyer argued in vain that this list was certainly defamatory. The band condemns right-wing extremism in the strongest possible terms. "They love their homeland and are conservative. But that doesn't make them right-wing extremists." The band members describe themselves as "conservative anti-fascists".

In the past, Frei.Wild have repeatedly been accused of promoting right-wing extremist ideas. In their songs, the South Tyroleans sing of love of their homeland, friendship and honor, of a constant battle of "us" against "them". In 2013, the band was removed from the nomination list for the Echo music award after other musicians accused the German rock band of being close to the right-wing scene and threatened to boycott the award. Three years later, Frei.Wild received the award in the Rock/Alternative National category after all.

Band pursued process with

All four band members were also present in the courtroom on Friday. They wanted to attend the trial because, according to lead singer Philipp Burger, "after more than fifteen years of band history, they are fed up with being repeatedly labeled right-wing extremists". That is very hurtful. Burger went on to say that the band could have reached an out-of-court settlement with 20Minuten. In his opinion, however, 20Minuten would have had to admit "that they made a mistake". It is still unclear whether the band and the public prosecutor's office will accept the acquittal. The case can still be appealed to the Federal Supreme Court. (SDA)