G7 protest becomes violent

Aftermath of trouble at G7 protest in Geneva (c) Paul Sobon

Geneva remains on edge after anti-G7 demonstrations descended into violence ahead of the summit in neighbouring Evian yesterday evening.

An estimated 20,000 people joined what began as an authorised protest, but clashes erupted as night fell. 

A Tesla was set on fire, bank and UN buildings were damaged, and protesters threw stones, bottles and fireworks at police. 

Police responded with tear gas and water cannon, making several arrests. 

A blockade was set up on the Avenue de France and police managed to corral around 200 protestors and released them slowly after ID checks.

Authorities have since withdrawn authorisation for further demonstrations. 

More from Bitesize News

  • Bank details compromised

    British digital bank Revolut has admitted handing customer information to fraudsters who impersonated a European government agency

  • Watch theft victim speaks out

    A luxury watch dealer just across the French border from Geneva has broken his silence about a violent robbery earlier this month

  • Crans Montana hearings due before end of year

    Jessica Moretti, who ran the Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, is now living in near-isolation in the Valais village of Lens more than eight months after the deadly New Year's Eve fire

  • Better news for economy

    Switzerland's economy will grow 1.7% this year — nearly double the 0.9% expansion forecast in June, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs said yesterday

  • Geneva budget plan unveiled

    Geneva has now put figures to its austerity plan — a CHF 546 million deficit for 2027, even after CHF 247 million in cuts

  • Summer fires increase

    Firefighters across French-speaking Switzerland tackled far more vegetation fires this summer than in any of the past five years

Download our app

  • Available on the App Store
  • Available on Google Play