Zurich's chief juvenile prosecutor opposes tougher juvenile criminal law

Zurkirchen told the media in Zurich on Thursday that he was in favor of further development rather than tightening the law. Punishments such as imprisonment would do nothing for young people. However, they can already be kept in custody until the age of 25.

If adjustments were to be made, the juvenile criminal justice system would have to be involved as an expert and be part of the solution. Zurkichen cites the increasingly younger age of offenders and the shift of offenses to the Internet as current problems.

However, he emphasized that 85 percent of the cases at the Office of the Public Prosecutor for Juveniles concern trivial matters. 95 percent of young people never come into conflict with the law.

A Pride threat at large

Recently, several young people in the canton of Zurich hit the headlines. A 15-year-old Islamist attacked an orthodox Jew with a knife, and two minors were arrested in connection with threats against Zurich Pride. According to media reports, these are also said to have an Islamist background.

One of the two has been released and is currently undergoing outpatient protective measures.

The chief juvenile prosecutor referred to the long experience with such offenders. Ten years ago, for example, the Office of the Juvenile Prosecutor dealt with two siblings who traveled from Winterthur to Syria to join the "Islamic State".