Decision on the Appointment of a Court-Appointed Defence Counsel

Facts

The Public Prosecutor's Office Zurich-Sihl is conducting a criminal investigation against [X.] for social welfare fraud. The accused requested the appointment of a court-appointed defence counsel, which was rejected by the Office of the Attorney General and the High Court of the Canton of Zurich. The accused then filed a complaint with the Federal Supreme Court.

Considerations

The Federal Supreme Court overturns the decision of the High Court and retroactively appoints Attorney Ayse Sezer Cansev as the court-appointed defence counsel for the accused as of 17 April 2013. The court justifies this by stating that the present case is not a minor offence and that the accused, due to her language difficulties, lack of education and inexperience with the…