The Swiss doctor who was prosecuted by a Swiss court (see news item on this site of November 17, 2010) because she actively assisted a patient with Lou Gehrig’s disease in ending his life, has been acquitted today. The court ruled that “…she had no choice when she took the final step to end the life…”, and therefore acted in a situation of medical emeregency.
Swissinfo.ch reported about this acquittal today on their website. The Swiss RtD Society EXIT Deutsche Schweiz, which closely followed the case, published about the result on their website in German.
EXIT called the verdict a “small sensation”, sending a clear signal at a time when the Swiss government is considering new – but more restrictive – guidelines on assisted suicide. A change in EXIT’s policy (no active assistance) is not to be expected soon.