17 November 2011 - 17H10  

Swiss high court upholds nudist rambler fine
Two hikers make their up a hill. Switzerland's highest court has thrown out an appeal against a 100 franc fine imposed on a nudist rambler, arguing that naked hiking could be seen to be a breach of public decency.
Two hikers make their up a hill. Switzerland's highest court has thrown out an appeal against a 100 franc fine imposed on a nudist rambler, arguing that naked hiking could be seen to be a breach of public decency.

AFP - Switzerland's highest court on Thursday threw out an appeal against a 100 franc fine imposed on a nudist rambler, arguing that naked hiking could be seen to be a breach of public decency.

The ramber was fined by Appenzell Ausserrhoden canton in eastern Switzerland following a complaint from a woman who saw him hiking nude.

The Federal Tribunal noted that the canton's criminal code stated clearly that a fine can be imposed in cases where public decency is violated.

"It is not overly high-handed to qualify naked hiking as a breach of decency customs," said the court in a statement.

It also found that the act was "not so insigificant that a penalty should be waived."

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