Swiss Nudist Wins Appeal Against 'Indecent Behaviour'
THE TELEGRAPH: A Swiss man fined for nude hiking has won an appeal of the 100-franc (£60) penalty because a court decided that the charge of "indecent behaviour" did not apply.

The 47 year old went to the court in eastern Switzerland's Appenzell Ausserrhoden canton to defend his right to hike naked, after he refused to pay a fine of 100 francs imposed following a complaint from a woman who saw him.

The woman had complained to the authorities about his "indecent behaviour."

The nudist's lawyer argued however that his client was not behaving in an indecent manner, and that the woman must have followed him to observe his actions.

In addition, the lawyer noted that the canton's penal code did not prohibit hiking naked.

The hiker said he has been rambling nude over the past two years, and that he always sticks to little used tracks.

The court waived the fine on the nudist and instead ordered the state to cover legal costs of 2,000 francs. >>> | Friday, May 28, 2010

Another Reason to Visit Switzerland: Hiking in the Nude
This would be a great pastime for Anjem Choudary, and other narrow-minded, fundamentalist Muslims! Photo of nude hiker in Switzerland courtesy of Time
TIME: Baby, it's cold outside. But the early-spring chill doesn't deter Thomas B. from taking a brisk walk along Appenzell's hilly trails to enjoy the green landscape of this rural canton in northeast Switzerland.

There's a good reason why Thomas, 24, doesn't give out his last name: he is concerned that his bosses at a nearby bank may not like his unconventional hiking attire, consisting of shoes, socks, a backpack — and nothing else. Thomas isn't just some nature nut in a birthday suit — he's one of a growing number of hikers who make the pilgrimage to Appenzell specifically so they can trek in the nude. (See pictures of skiing.)

Hiking in the buff might shock Thomas' bosses, as well as some of Appenzell's 15,000 inhabitants, but it's no skin off his back. "Hiking in clothes is too constrictive," he says, adding that he has never had any negative reactions from the fully clothed hikers he meets on the trails. "I like to feel comfortable. There's nothing wrong with that, is there?" >>> By Helena Bachman, Geneva | Tuesday, March 24, 2009