After a long debate, the government of the Swiss canton of Glarus approved the decision to exonerate Anna Goeldi, who was executed in 1782 by local authorities.
The recommendation to acknowledge that Goeldi was unfairly prosecuted was taken by the local parliament in consultation with the Protestant and Roman Catholic churches in November 2007.
The decision now goes to the state parliament for final approval.
Goeldi, a housemaid in the house of a married doctor and magistrate, Jakob Tschudi, was tortured into confessing to being a witch and executed in Glarus in 1782. She had reportedly had an affair with Tschudi.
However, after she had been sacked by the family, fearing that news of the affair would reach his employees, and lead to his dismissal, Tschudi accused her of making his daughter ill by putting 'Satanic' needles into her bread and milk.
The execution took place long after the era of witch-hunts in Europe, at the height of the 'Age of Enlightenment', and sparked outrage throughout the continent.
