Facts
The appellant [A.] was subjected to a control at the border crossing [U.] on July 15, 2017, during which a throwing knife with a total length of 23.5 cm and a blade length of 13.5 cm was found in his vehicle. [A.] had previously acquired the throwing knife as part of an inheritance, without knowing that it was a weapon. However, he decided to keep the knife and carry it with him when he crossed the border into Switzerland. The District Court of Rheinfelden convicted [A.] of carrying, attempted importation, and possession of a weapon without a permit. The High Court of the Canton of Aargau confirmed the guilty verdicts but reduced the sentence. [A.] then filed a criminal complaint with the Federal Supreme Court.Considerations
The Federal Supreme Court dismissed the complaint. It concluded that although [A.] had acquired the throwing knife without knowledge, he had possessed it intentionally and without the required permit after its discovery. Even though [A.] did not intend to deliberately bring the knife across the border, the elements of the offense of attempted importation of a prohibited weapon were fulfilled, as he had placed the knife in his car and thereby accepted the risk of bringing it across the border. The Federal Supreme Court also…