Cameroon president’s staff convicted for alleged journalist assault
Cameroon protesters clashed with police in Geneva outside the hotel where President Biya was staying.
Keystone / Martial Trezzini
Six members of Cameroon president Paul Biya’s staff have been convicted by Swiss judges investigating a reported attack on a journalist in Geneva last week.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/mga,dos
Español
es
Personal del presidente camerunés arrestado en Ginebra
The arrests took place on Tuesday, according to a statementExternal link from canton Geneva’s justice department, before on Wednesday four of the staff were given a four month suspended prison sentence, and two were given a three month suspended sentence.
Geneva prosecutors found the individuals (five men and one woman) guilty of coercion, damage to property, and illegal appropriation.
A journalist from Swiss public broadcaster RTS filed the complaint following an incident on June 26 outside the InterContinental hotel in the city. The journalist says he was assaulted by members of Biya’s security team who took his bag containing a mobile phone and wallet. The seized items were later returned.
The incident took place during a demonstration outside of the hotel, where Biya was staying, by a group of protesters. The alleged assault prompted Switzerland to summon the ambassador of Cameroon to Bern, where he was told that “such incidents are unacceptable, and that freedom of the press is protected and must be respected.”
Some 250 anti-Biya protesters returned to the hotel on Saturday and were dispersed by tear gas and water cannons after some tried to break through police lines.
A 2018 report by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) accused Biya of spending a considerable amount of his time abroad since coming to power in Cameroon in 1982, much of it at luxury hotels in Geneva.
Media: Swiss medical services done abroad are billed at Swiss rates
This content was published on
In Switzerland, some medical services carried out abroad are still billed at Swiss rates, despite costing less, RTS reports.
This content was published on
Sophie Hediger, a member of the Swiss national snowboard cross team, has died in an avalanche in Arosa. She was 26 years old.
This content was published on
Several Swiss films exceeded the 100,000 admissions mark worldwide in 2024 and received widespread praise at international film festivals.
Swiss Alpine resorts covered in white gold for Christmas
This content was published on
Many areas at low altitudes in Switzerland are enjoying a blanket of snow. In the mountains, intense precipitation has delighted skiers.
SWISS makes emergency landing in Austria after smoke in cockpit
This content was published on
Swiss International Airlines (SWISS) made an emergency landing of an Airbus in Graz, Austria on Monday evening after engine problems.
L’Oréal acquires South Korean subsidiary of Migros’ cosmetics brand
This content was published on
French cosmetics firm L'Oréal is acquiring Gowoonsesang Cosmetics, the South Korean subsidiary of the Migros-owned Mibelle group, for an undisclosed sum.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Violent scenes outside Geneva hotel of Cameroon president
This content was published on
Swiss police have used force to disperse around 250 people who were demonstrating against the presence in Geneva of Cameroonian President Paul Biya.
Swiss complain to Cameroon over ‘unacceptable’ journalist attack
This content was published on
Switzerland has complained to Cameroon following an attack on a Swiss public television journalist in Geneva on Wednesday.
This content was published on
Switzerland is acting as a facilitator in the crisis in north-western and south-western Cameroon at the request of the parties involved.
Cameroon’s Biya: Why the Swiss won’t stop his Geneva stays
This content was published on
Reports alleging Cameroon’s president Paul Biya runs his country from a Geneva hotel raise questions whether official Switzerland can intervene.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.