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.

Protesters gathered outside the courthouse in the town of Plessur.

Some lines of questioning by judges during the trial have also raised concerns about the impartiality of the accused’s former colleagues. 

One judge suggested to the woman that she should have ‘pressed her legs together, as you’re not weakly built’.

The court sentenced the man to a suspended 23 months in jail.

The sentence is legal, but it falls just one month short for a mandatory term of being locked up – so the man walks free. 

The case looks likely to be appealed on two fronts.

 The woman could call for a stronger sentence, but the defence say they’re going to appeal as they believe there remains considerable doubts about the case.

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