Global Military Justice Reform's focus is on current events, but from time to time we spot things on the web that may be of interest even if they are a few years old. Thus, we read
on the internet of a 2011 case in which
Philemon K. of the Swiss Army was subjected to 45 minutes of irate questioning and four days of detention when he greeted his colonel with a casual "bonjour." According to
Blick:
The incident occurred when the colonel arrived at the barracks in uniform but in a civilian vehicle. The soldier, who did not recognize his superior, asked to see his credentials as he greeted him with the decidedly unmilitary "bonjour".
The soldier said the blunder led to him being interrogated by the enraged colonel for 45 minutes. He was then ordered to spend four days in prison, to be served after his army course.
Philemon K. said he is disappointed as he never has had any problems in the army before.
“How am I supposed to explain this to my employer? What will he think of me when I tell him I have to go to jail?“ he asked.
The soldier said he even wrote the colonel a letter to say sorry, but his apology was not accepted.
Can anyone tell us whether Philemon K.'s punishment was ever set aside? Comments welcome.
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