28 March 2012
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Swiss Police face jail for Nearly Killing Two Activists in Evian 2003
Statement from: Aubonne Bridge Solidarity Campaign
"In May 2003, an affinity group blockaded the Aubonne
Bridge in order to stop a G8 delegation from reaching the summit
in Evian. The police cut the climbing rope and nearly killed
two activists. Now the policeman who cut the rope and his senior
officer are in court. From the 13th to the 15th of February three
judges will preside over the trial. More than 25 witnesses including
senior police officers and activists who were on the bridge will
give evidence during the trial in Nyon. The officers are charged
with causing severe bodily harm with negligence. Martin Shaw
fell some 25 metres and his injuries included a broken back,
broken pelvis and a shattered foot.
Despite numerous operations, he will never make a complete recovery.
The charges also include bodily harm against the second climber,
Gesine Wenzel who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder
for more than a year. This courtcase is the result of three-years
of public and legal pressure after the initial judge appointed
to investigate the case showed clear bias in refusing to pursue
the matter. In Switzerland, the police usually enjoy a relatively
high-degree of impunity and are protected by all manner of legal
bureaucracy. Despite many complaints against the police having
been made, this are the first such charges to be brought to court
in over twenty years.
A programme of events is taking place for a week before and alongside
the trial, including preparations for maintaining a presence
outside the courthouse during the trial, a benefit party and
workshops on subjects such as activist trauma, popular edication
and planning for the next G8 in Germany.
The Aubonne-Bridge collective has released a political statement
in which they acknowledge the contradiction inherent in pursuing
a legal case through a justuce system whose legitimacy they don’t
recognize, while outlining the reasons in which they have still
chosen to do this. These reasons include challenging the impunity
of the police, trying to highlight the cracks in the façade
of liberal-democracy and to promote a greater awareness of the
incompetence and violence that the police are capable of. The
trial is taking place at the same time that 29 police officers
in Italy are in court for a variety of acts of violence and brutality
against protestors during the G8 summit in Genoa."
Background
Aubonne Bridge Solidarity Campaign: http://www.aubonnebridge.net
Watch the video of the action: http://www.aubonnebridge.net/video.php
Statewatch News Online, July 2003: G8
injured activist released from hospital after one month - new
video evidence demonstrates police negligence
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