Swiss court fines protesters for ‘Kill Erdogan’ banner targeting Turkish President in rally

Swiss court fines protesters for ‘Kill Erdogan’ banner, saying that it cannot be ‘objectively evaluated as neutral,’ makes an explicit call to ‘kill the President of the Republic of Türkiye’

The Bern Canton High Court in Switzerland has imposed fines on individuals who displayed a “Kill Erdogan” banner targeting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a rally seven years ago, overturning the acquittal decision.

Bern Canton High Court reversed the acquittal decision for four defendants tried in a case related to targeting President Erdogan and handed them fines ranging from 2,000 to 3,300 Swiss Francs each, totaling 11,000 Swiss Francs.

The court evaluated the banner displaying President Erdogan as a target with a gun pointed at his head and the word “kill” written on it, stating that it is difficult to interpret the word “kill” in any other way than a clear and explicit call to “kill the President of the Republic of Türkiye.”

The court noted that the statement “cannot be objectively evaluated as neutral” and emphasized that this message could be considered a call for murder.

“Objectively, there is no room for a metaphorical interpretation,” the ruling stated.

Referring to the Bern regional court’s decision in 2022, which stated that “the demonstrations fall within the scope of the protection of fundamental rights, including freedom of expression,” the Bern Canton High Court highlighted that incitement to kill a person openly is not protected under “neither freedom of expression nor freedom of assembly.”

Upon a request from defense lawyer Dominic Nellen, all four defendants have also filed an appeal to the Federal Supreme Court.

In Switzerland, the defendants who displayed a “Kill Erdogan” banner during a rally in 2017 were acquitted in the trial held in 2022.

Banner Targeting Erdogan in Switzerland

The rally held on March 25, 2017, in Switzerland saw the participation of left-wing groups, with supporters of terrorist organizations carrying flags and banners belonging to these organizations.

The banner prepared on a black background featured a photo of Erdogan with a gun pointed at his head and the words “Kill Erdogan,” along with the phrase “with their own weapons” written below.

The Bern Prosecutor’s Office issued a penalty order in March 2021 against the four defendants, holding them responsible for “incitement to commit crimes and violence” in the incident.

Source: Newsroom

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