Swiss court re-opens Camenzind EPO case

By Susan Westemeyer

Team Phonak can't seem to stay away from doping headlines, even if the case is two years old and the rider has long since retired. Oscar Camenzind, who was under contract to Phonak, was found to have used EPO in the summer of 2004, and promptly announced his retirement.

At the time, Camenzind refused to give the name of the person who had provided him with the EPO. He claimed the right not to incriminate himself, telling the court he could face further charges if the supplier was brought to trial in another country. The Swiss Justice Ministry confirmed this possibility, and the Swiss investigators closed the case in December last year.

However, the Swiss Kantonsgericht has sent the case back to the investigating judge Martin Eichenberger, saying it has a different opinion from the Berzirksamt which closed the case. Eichenberger will look into the matter again.