Facts
The appellant [Y.] was convicted by the Federal Criminal Court, Criminal Chamber, of criminal preparatory acts for arson and trafficking in explosives and sentenced to a prison term of 3 years and 8 months. The appellant requests the annulment of the judgment and her acquittal.
The appellant and her co-defendants [X.] and [Z.] were arrested in Switzerland on April 15, 2010, as they were on their way to carry out an attack on a nanotechnology center. Explosives, incendiary devices, and a claim of responsibility were seized in the rental car and on the person of the appellant.
The appellant complains of a violation of the principle of indictment, inadequate translation of procedural acts, obstruction of the defense and trial preparation, as well as a violation of the duty to document and the right to be heard.
Considerations
The Federal Court deals with the appeal in various points. Firstly, the complaint of a violation of the principle of indictment is dismissed, as the indictment sufficiently describes the charge of preparatory acts for arson.
The complaint of inadequate translation of procedural acts is partially approved. The Federal Court finds that the appellant, due to the lack of translation and the lack of contact with her defense counsel when leaving the courtroom after the oral announcement of the judgment and even during her return transport to the prison, had no knowledge of the content of the judgment disposition announced in her presence.
The complaint of obstruction of the defense and trial preparation is dismissed, as the trial court had ordered the conditions of…