Ticino prosecutors open new case against Claudio Zali

Ticino’s public prosecutor’s office has opened a new criminal investigation against former government councillor Claudio Zali, SRF reported, citing Swiss Italian-language broadcaster RSI.

The investigation concerns possible offences against sexual integrity, including sexual assault. The alleged incidents date back several years and the case was opened following statements by a third person.

Zali, a Lega politician, was recently questioned as a suspect and has denied any criminal responsibility.

Background to the case

Zali announced on July 29 that he would resign from Ticino’s cantonal government at the end of September. All political parties, including the Swiss People’s Party and Lega, had called for his resignation after an audio recording was published.

The recording captures a private conversation from several years ago between a man identified as Zali and a female friend. She asked him for advice on how to get rid of a female stalker. In the recording, the government president says: “Beat her up.”

The new investigation was confirmed in a letter from Attorney General Andrea Pagani to the presidency of the Grand Council, which RSI obtained. The prosecutor’s office said it would provide no further information because the investigation was ongoing. It also referred to the presumption of innocence and the protection of the alleged victim.