G8 Swiss Embassy answer on Martin Shaw
phil | 06.06.2003 16:44
The Swiss embassy in the UK has replied to our emails about the attempted murder of Martin Shaw during the G8 protests in Evian. No truth, no justice.
they speak of Martin falling instead of a police officer cutting his rope!
They argue that Martin was doing illegal stuff and endangered life (how for fuck sake) and thereby try to somehow justify the action by the police...what the fuck!
Thought I share these evasive lines of the Embassy with you...
phil
-----------------
sent by
swissembassy@lon.rep.admin.ch
Dear Sir
Thank you for expressing your concerns about the case of Mr Martin
Shaw, a
British national who was injured during a protest organised in
Switzerland
against the G8 Summit in Evian.
The Swiss authorities are concerned about the tragic incident. In
accordance with the Swiss Penal Code, an investigation has been
launched ex
officio by the Examining Magistrate of the district in question in
order to
establish the responsibilities of all the persons involved.
Mr Shaw, who fell some twenty metres into the riverbed, was immediately
rescued, treated on the spot and then transported to the University
Hospital
of Canton Vaud. According to the medical services he is seriously
injured,
but his life is not in danger.
The demonstration in which Mr Shaw was participating was not
authorised.
The Cantonal Police was obliged to intervene to disperse the crowd,
inasmuch
as it was disrupting the traffic on the motorway. The investigation now
in
progress will last for several weeks and will also consider the
responsibility of the demonstrators who took considerable risks and
also
potentially endangered the lives of others by blocking the motorway
traffic.
The findings will be published on the website of the Cantonal Police of
Vaud
(www.police.vd.ch )
Yours sincerely
Marie-Claude Meylan
They argue that Martin was doing illegal stuff and endangered life (how for fuck sake) and thereby try to somehow justify the action by the police...what the fuck!
Thought I share these evasive lines of the Embassy with you...
phil
-----------------
sent by
swissembassy@lon.rep.admin.ch Dear Sir
Thank you for expressing your concerns about the case of Mr Martin
Shaw, a
British national who was injured during a protest organised in
Switzerland
against the G8 Summit in Evian.
The Swiss authorities are concerned about the tragic incident. In
accordance with the Swiss Penal Code, an investigation has been
launched ex
officio by the Examining Magistrate of the district in question in
order to
establish the responsibilities of all the persons involved.
Mr Shaw, who fell some twenty metres into the riverbed, was immediately
rescued, treated on the spot and then transported to the University
Hospital
of Canton Vaud. According to the medical services he is seriously
injured,
but his life is not in danger.
The demonstration in which Mr Shaw was participating was not
authorised.
The Cantonal Police was obliged to intervene to disperse the crowd,
inasmuch
as it was disrupting the traffic on the motorway. The investigation now
in
progress will last for several weeks and will also consider the
responsibility of the demonstrators who took considerable risks and
also
potentially endangered the lives of others by blocking the motorway
traffic.
The findings will be published on the website of the Cantonal Police of
Vaud
(www.police.vd.ch )
Yours sincerely
Marie-Claude Meylan
phil
Comments
Hide the following 2 comments
quick point
06.06.2003 17:53
denies that the police cut the rope. It just says he fell.
Which is true, whether it was them that caused it or an
accident... he certainly fell.
pedantic
Swiss Embassy In US
09.06.2003 17:59
To:
Subject: G8 accident in Switzerland
551.9-BIS
Dear Reverend Penter
Thank you for your E-Mail and for sharing your concerns of the tragic
accident involving a British protester, Mr. Martin Shaw, which occurred
during an unauthorized G-8 Summit protest near Lausanne, Switzerland.
The Swiss authorities are concerned about the tragic incident. Immediately
after the accident, the competent authorities have launched a criminal
investigation to establish the responsibilities of all the persons involved.
According to our information, protesters spanned a rope over a highway
overpass and blocked the traffic on the overpass. A police officer cut the
rope, unfortunately not realising that under the bridge there was Mr. Shaw
suspended and held by this rope.
After the accident, Mr. Shaw was treated on the spot and then transported by
helicopter to the Vaud University Hospital. He was seriously injured, but
we've learned with great relief that his life is not in danger and that Mr.
Shaw is responding well to treatment. It is our understanding that he should
be able to leave the hospital shortly.
Please note that for the Swiss authorities, it is of utmost importance that
this tragic incident is thoroughly and transparently investigated.
Therefore, as soon as the results are available, they will be published,
among others on the web site of the Cantonal Police of Vaud at www.dse.vd.ch
As you might know, the protests which took place during the G8 summit turned
out violently at some places, although the huge majority of the protesters
marched peacefully and in good faith. It is all our concern that appar
Most sincerely,
Alex Biscaro
Alex Biscaro
Head of Press & Information Service
Embassy of Switzerland
2900 Cathedral Ave NW
Washington DC 20008-3499
Phone (202) 745-7940; Fax (202) 387-2564
Email:
www.swissemb.org
As you can see, the wording isalmost identical, suggesting a form letter.
Regards, Philadelphia IMC
Father O'blivion
e-mail:
father_oblivion@phillyimc.org