Switzerland’s Nazi “Fuehrer” and six of his confederates were sentenced here today to prison terms ranging from three months to two years after being convicted of pro-German espionage. All eight defendants were given 10 days in which to file an appeal.
Dr. Alfred Zander, head of the “League of Faithful Confederates,” insisted throughout the trial that he and his followers had maintained no contact with the Reich, and protested that they had not sought to overthrow the Swiss Government. The prosecution produced testimony to prove the defendants had communicated with Nazi party officials at Munich.
Zander and his confederates were convicted under the 1935 espionage law. Johann Freid. described as the “go-between” man, was given the severest sentence — two years’ imprisonment and five years’ loss of civil rights. Frei was tried in absentia, having fled to Germany. Zander was imprisoned for 18 months and will be deprived of his civil rights for three years.
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