Dr cleared after helping patient to die

Monday, 3 July 2023 06:30

A doctor has been cleared by the Federal Court for helping a mentally ill patient to commit suicide – the ruling means a change in the law.

Erika Preisig was initially charged in canton Basel-Country when she helped a mentally ill woman kill herself in 2016.

The cantonal court dismissed the charges – but prosecutors appealed.

The doctor did not have a psychiatric report on the woman. But the court heard she had deep conversations with the patient and her family and sought a second opinion.

The court ruled that was sufficient. The ruling means that a psychiatric report is no longer needed to help a mentally ill person to die.

More from Bitesize News

Switzerland loses human rights case

Switzerland has been condemned by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg for its decision to deny asylum to a gay Iranian.
Former judge found guilty of rape escapes jail

Questions are being asked after a former judge in canton Graubünden has escaped jail, despite being found guilty of rape.
Brienz residents told to leave

It’s the instruction they didn’t want to hear – the residents of Brienz in Graubünden have to leave their homes by 1pm on Sunday.
Man sent to secure hospital after setting fires

A man has been found guilty of setting a series of fires at the Lignon housing estate in Geneva and will have to undergo psychiatric treatment at a secure centre.
Lausanne police hunt racist attackers

Lausanne police are investigating a video which has gone viral that shows an attack on a 22-year-old black man by ten others while being racially insulted.
'Chaos' at spy agency

It’s probably not what a spy agency wants – but the Federal Intelligence Agency is making headlines.