Michel Peiry, the 'sadist of Romont', sentenced to life imprisonment in 1989

On October 31, 1989, Michel Peiry was sentenced to life imprisonment. Since then, he has applied for parole twelve times, but has always been refused. The last time on August 7, the Swiss Federal Court declared that the risk of reoffending was too high.

Peiry, 67, is known as 'Romont's sadist' for his cruel modus operandi against young boys. His criminal history includes at least 11 victims in Switzerland, France, Croatia and Italy, with a peak frequency in 1986 and 1987.

His capture in 1987 followed a survivor who provided crucial testimony. A psychiatric evaluation highlighted his homosexuality which was never accepted as a conditioning factor.