http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6656487.stm
Swiss go on trial over air crash
Eight air traffic controllers are going on trial in Switzerland on
charges of manslaughter and negligence over an air crash in 2002 that
killed 71 people.
A Russian passenger jet collided with a cargo aircraft. Most of the
victims were schoolchildren from Russia.
The eight accused were all employed by the air traffic control firm,
Skyguide, at the time of the incident.
They face jail sentences of up to 15 months if found guilty, but all
intend to plead innocent.
Seven of them are still working for Skyguide.
'Significant deficiencies'
The Russian charter flight carrying children on holiday to Spain
collided with the DHL plane in Swiss airspace in July 2002 - the
wreckage came down in Germany.
German and Swiss investigations into the accident have already found
what are described as significant organisational deficiencies within
Skyguide, which it is said, contributed to the accident, says the
BBC's Imogen Foulkes, in Berne.
They have found that on the night of the crash a single air traffic
controller was left in charge, while at the same time major
maintenance work was carried out, leaving him without crucial
communication and radar systems.
That air traffic controller was subsequently stabbed and killed by the
father of two of the children who died.
Skyguide has already provided financial compensation to some of the
bereaved families, our correspondent says.
But she says many more are still waiting for compensation and for an
admission of responsibility for the crash.
Some relatives are expected to come to Switzerland for the trial,
which will last two weeks.
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