Zug,31.08.2015

Prosecution Service drops investigation into use of date-rape drug

The Zug Prosecution Service has dropped its investigation into the allegation that cantonal parliamentarian Markus Hürlimann administered a date-rape drug on fellow parliamentarian Jolanda Spiess-Hegglin as a number of guests stayed on at the Schiff restaurant where they had celebrated Heinz Tännler becoming head of the Zug government in December last year. 41-year-old Hürlimann, who represents Baar in the cantonal parliament, has thereby or been totally exonerated.
 
It was on the day following the alleged offence that Spiess-Hegglin took herself off to the Cantonal Hospital for a gynaecological examination after she had felt pains but could not recall a sexual act taking place. As in all incidents such as this, the hospital medical staff have to alert the prosecution authority by law.
 
Speaking in his capacity as spokesman for the Zug Prosecution Service (ZSB), Marcel Schlatter said that no evidence had been found that Spiess-Hegglin had been rendered unconscious through a drug on the evening in question. While this was announced last week, the 34-year-old Alternative Green Party member was given a further few days to provide any other information she deemed relevant and indeed did so, but this has since been dismissed. However, this verdict on the part of the ZSB is not yet legally binding and both parties have the right to announce they intend to contest the ruling within the next ten days. If so, the case will then go to the high court in Zug.
 
As a result of the ZSB’ s decision, Markus Hürlimann is entitled to receive compensation from public funds, not least for the two days he spent in prison as a result of the allegations. There is no indication so far about how high this compensation might be.
 
When contacted by telephone by a journalist of the  Neue Zuger Zeitung in relation to compensation, Hürlimann said, “Whatever sum it is, my costs will have been five times the amount.” As to the ZSB’s announcement that their enquiry had been dropped, he did not wish to comment, other than to say he needed time to think it all through.
 
However, he also announced he was to call a press conference to be able disclose the whole truth about precisely what happened at the Schiff restaurant that night. He insisted he had been totally innocent of any wrong-doing, but neither admitted nor denied that the two engaged in sexual intercourse. “This is a private matter and nothing to do with the public,” he said, adding that the past eight months had been a heavy burden both for himself and people close to him to bear, as well as to Spiess-Hegglin and her family.
 
While one aspect of the Zug sex affair may be over, another continues; Hürlimann is suing Spiess-Hegglin for defamation of character after what she insinuated in the days after the incident.
 
As to whether Spiess-Hegglin will take the case to the high court, this is not yet known. The 34-year-old said she had not yet made up her mind and was consulting her lawyer.