Environment Forest squatters contest fines in Dielsdorf district court

Three women and one man defended themselves against a penalty order at the Dielsdorf district court on Friday: The public prosecutor's office fined them 750 francs for demonstrating in a forest in Rümlang against the construction of a landfill site.

By taking part in the "Forest instead of rubble" campaign, they had violated the Forest Act, according to the penalty order. This event was not authorized and the "Chalberhau" forest was therefore illegally occupied from 8 to 20 April 2023.

The public prosecutor's office accuses the activists of having severely impaired the flora and fauna in the forest. Among other things, they had set up a camp with tents and tree huts, several boardwalks, a "wildlife toilet" and a medical tent. They had also transported the required materials on forest roads using motor vehicles without permission.

The public prosecutor's office fined the 35-year-old man and the 21-, 27- and 31-year-old women 750 francs each. They were also fined 550 francs each.

The four individuals lodged an appeal against the penalty order issued. The Dielsdorf district court will therefore now deal with the forest occupation. It has dispensed the activists from attending the trial. This means that only their defense lawyer will appear in court.

With the "Forest instead of rubble" campaign, a group of activists protested against the planned expansion of the "Chalberhau" landfill site. They criticized the fact that too many trees would have to be felled for this.