Annulment of the decision of the High Court of the Canton of Zurich due to violation of the right to an independent court

Facts

The Federal Supreme Court is conducting a criminal investigation against the Belgian national [A.] for organized and commercial serious drug trafficking, qualified participation in a criminal organization, serious money laundering, and multiple forgery of documents. [A.] was arrested in Zurich on February 16, 2022 and remanded in custody on February 19, 2022. The public prosecutor's office ordered various detention restrictions, which were repeatedly extended by the High Court of the Canton of Zurich. [A.] appealed against the latest extension until October 15, 2022 to the Federal Supreme Court.

Considerations

The Federal Supreme Court upholds the appeal, insofar as it has not become moot. It finds that the contested decision of the High Court of August 31, 2022 was incompatible with Art. 30 para. 1 of the Federal Constitution and Art.…