Zurich court sentences Swiss activist for protests and Tesla damage

A 29-year-old Swiss student has been convicted by a Zurich district court for several protest actions, including unauthorized entries into ETH Zurich and the damaging of a Tesla vehicle. The court imposed a conditional fine of 60 daily rates of 30 francs, with a two-year probationary period.

The convictions include multiple counts of trespassing, property damage, and defamation. The legal proceedings addressed several incidents: pro-Palestinian sit-ins at ETH Zurich in May 2024, an action involving red paint at the Kunsthaus Zurich in November 2024, and the damage to a Tesla automobile in April 2025. Regarding the vehicle damage, the judge noted that dissatisfaction with Elon Musk's politics does not justify harming a vehicle owner.

The defendant did not attend the sentencing due to a chronic illness, as requested by her defense. Her lawyer described the student's actions as a “commitment to a better world.” The verdict is not yet final and may be appealed to the Higher Court.