Copyright Star Tribune
GENEVA — Switzerland's top court has rejected an appeal by four protesters who were convicted of public incitement to a crime over a banner that called for the killing of Turkey's president at a demonstration more than 8 years ago. In a statement Wednesday, the Federal Tribunal said it upheld a lower court's decision over the banner that read ''Kill Erdogan with his own weapons'' — a reference to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan — at a March 2017 protest in the Swiss capital, Bern. The banner featured an image of the Turkish leader with a gun pointed at his temple. A regional court convicted the defendants in 2020, handing down fines and suspended prison sentences. ''Based on the concrete circumstances — the selected image, associated with text — the banner cannot objectively be considered anything else than as a clear and urgent incitement to kill the Turkish president,'' a statement from the high court said Wednesday. ''The convictions handed down are in line with freedom of expression and assembly,'' it said. The court said a democracy should allow free expression even if the words used might be unpleasant or shocking to many, but the banner ''went beyond provocative speech or virulent criticism'' that is protected under the law. Erdogan referred to the banner in 2017 while campaigning for constitutional changes to grant him sweeping new powers, just months after a failed coup attempt in Turkey. The demonstration came amid tensions between Ankara and parts of Europe over the referendum in Turkey on the proposed constitutional changes, and allegations of Turkish interference in Swiss political affairs. What should have been a five-minute time-saving walk from Mexico's National Palace to the Education Ministry for President Claudia Sheinbaum has become a stomach-churning viral moment after a video captured a drunk man groping the president. France's government said Wednesday it has started a procedure to suspend access to Shein's online marketplace until the company proves that its content conforms with French law, after authorities found firearms and sex dolls with childlike features listed for sale on the fast-fashion giant's website. Switzerland's top court has rejected an appeal by four protesters who were convicted of public incitement to a crime over a banner that called for the killing of Turkey's president at a demonstration more than 8 years ago. What should have been a five-minute time-saving walk from Mexico's National Palace to the Education Ministry for President Claudia Sheinbaum has become a stomach-churning viral moment after a video captured a drunk man groping the president.
