Markus Gilli sues Juso of the city of Zurich
The allegations of racism against SVP National Council member Alfred Heer are having wider repercussions: The regional broadcaster Tele Züri and its editor-in-chief, Markus Gilli, are suing the Young Socialists (Juso) of the City of Zurich. They accuse the youth wing of the party of invasion of privacy and unfair competition.
The corresponding statement of claim was submitted to the judicial authorities on Wednesday, the station said. Tele Züri and Markus Gilli demanded from the Young Socialists in particular publication of the verdict and satisfaction, it continues. The Young Party had said in a communiqué on Tuesday, among other things, that the TV station and its editor-in-chief would "defend racists." Anyone who defends racism supports it and thus becomes part of it.
Deadline passed
The party was given a deadline by Tele Züri's legal representative to withdraw the media release and to publish a public apology to Tele Züri and Markus Gilli. The Juso let the deadline pass. In September, the public prosecutor's office opened criminal proceedings against Alfred Heer on suspicion of racial discrimination. The case concerns statements made by Heer in the Tele Züri program "Sonntalk" on September 16. Heer said at the time: "Especially the young North Africans from Tunisia come as asylum seekers with the intention of becoming criminals. They don't care whether they have emergency aid or social welfare." Two people of Tunisian origin had subsequently filed a criminal complaint.
Heer himself invokes his immunity as a parliamentarian. He claims that he took part in the discussion as a member of the National Council. The National Council's Immunity Commission (IKN) must now decide whether to lift Heer's immunity. As a member of the National Council commission, Heer will stand aside during the proceedings.
Heer as a mandate holder in the "Sonntalk
Tele Züri or Markus Gilli never evaluated or defended the statements made by the SVP National Councilor in "Sonntalk," according to the statement on Wednesday. Gilli had only made a statement to a journalist from the Sonntagszeitung regarding the concept of the "Sonntalk" program. Part of the concept is that the guest panel is made up of elected officials and functionaries - especially politicians. Alfred Heer had been invited to "Sonntalk" because he was a member of the National Council and President of the SVP of the Canton of Zurich. However, the Sunday newspaper ran the headline "Racism complaint: Tele Züri defends Alfred Heer". The Juso in turn referred to what Tele Züri considered to be a "misleading article". (SDA)
Teaser image: Telezueri.ch
