Comparative naked rambling: Appenzell again
Our thanks to correspondent Martin Hogg for drawing our attention to the successful appeal of a naked hiker in Switzerland, over-turning a criminal conviction for indecent behaviour in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden on 28 May 2010.
The un-named accused had been arrested after a complaint from a woman who had seen him passing near a Christian rehabilitation centre. His initial conviction had led to a fine of 100 francs (about £60). The appeal court appears to have decided that merely hiking without clothing was not indecent behaviour, while the woman’s complaint suggested that she must have followed in his tracks for a period of time. Both the initial punishment and the success of the appeal make for interesting reading in relation to the treatment in Scotland of Stephen Gough (last heard of in Perth prison).
Appenzell is an area now well-known as both a mecca for rambling au naturelle, especially for Germans, and for the locals’ distaste for their visitors’ pastime: see previously here and here. Scots Law News would welcome information on what if any difference there is between Appenzell Ausserrhoden and Appenzell Innerhoden, our previous stories on this having related to the latter only.