The Swiss voice in the world since 1935

Hundreds of Iranian monarchists demonstrate in Geneva

Hundreds of Iranian monarchists demonstrate in Geneva
Hundreds of Iranian monarchists demonstrate in Geneva Keystone-SDA

More than 500 Iranian monarchists demonstrated on the Place des Nations in Geneva, demanding a role for the son of the last Shah of Iran in their country's democratic future.

+ Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox

“Never trust the Communists and the Islamic Republic”, read one banner. Numerous flags of the former imperial regime, overthrown in 1979 by the Islamic Republic, stood alongside several banners of Israel, a sworn enemy of the Iranian ayatollahs.

“Reza Pahlavi for the democratic future of Iran”, demanded one banner. The son of the last Shah of Iran, who has lived in the United States for many years, boosted the enthusiasm of the demonstrators by gracing them with a brief two-minute presence.

Also in Geneva on Monday, he stated that he was not a candidate for any office, but that he was ready to lead the political transition if the regime fell. A scenario he considers possible “very quickly” if the West guarantees “maximum support” for the Iranian people, who he believes want to get rid of a religious regime.

The Shah of Iran had been heavily criticised by NGOs for his repression of opponents, which was seen as a major violation of human rights. His son believes he is not beholden to his father’s policies, and defends fundamental freedoms for all Iranians.

More

Translated from French by DeepL/mga

This news story has been written and carefully fact-checked by an external editorial team. At SWI swissinfo.ch we select the most relevant news for an international audience and use automatic translation tools such as DeepL to translate it into English. Providing you with automatically translated news gives us the time to write more in-depth articles.

If you want to know more about how we work, have a look here, if you want to learn more about how we use technology, click here, and if you have feedback on this news story please write to english@swissinfo.ch.

Popular Stories

News

On social networks, State Councillors have a smooth profile

More

Digital Democracy

Swiss cantonal ministers keep low profile on social media

This content was published on A small base of followers and neutral posts: these are the conclusions that emerge from a study published by UNIL researchers into the use of social networks by councillors of state.

Read more: Swiss cantonal ministers keep low profile on social media
Rents set to rise by up to 5% a year in Switzerland, says OFL

More

Swiss rents forecast to rise up to 5% annually, housing chief warns

This content was published on Rents on the Swiss market are set to rise by between 3% and 5% a year over the next few years, warned Martin Tschirren, Director of the Federal Housing Office (FHO), on Sunday. "Demand for housing remains higher than supply".

Read more: Swiss rents forecast to rise up to 5% annually, housing chief warns
Swiss abroad: 'yes' to electronic identity

More

Swiss Abroad

Swiss Abroad say ‘yes’ to electronic identity

This content was published on The Council of the Swiss Abroad, meeting today in Bern, passed a resolution in favour of the new Electronic Identity Act (Id-e), which will be put to the vote on 28 September.

Read more: Swiss Abroad say ‘yes’ to electronic identity
One person consumes 4.8 megawatt hours of electricity

More

One person consumes 4.8 megawatt hours of electricity

This content was published on On average, the Swiss consume 4.8 megawatt hours of electricity per year. According to Velobiz.de, this is roughly equivalent to the amount generated by all 176 cyclists in the Tour de France during the entire race.

Read more: One person consumes 4.8 megawatt hours of electricity
Lisa Mazzone criticises the Federal Council's neo-liberal policy

More

Foreign Affairs

Green party leader criticises government’s neo-liberal policy

This content was published on The Green Party delegates' meeting opened on Saturday morning in Vicques (JU) with a speech by party president Lisa Mazzone. Mazzone took particular aim at the Federal Council's policy towards the United States.

Read more: Green party leader criticises government’s neo-liberal policy
Safra Sarasin and a former asset manager sentenced

More

Swiss Politics

Safra Sarasin private bank and former asset manager sentenced

This content was published on The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland has fined private bank J. Safra Sarasin CHF3.5 million for aggravated money laundering. A former bank employee received a six-month suspended prison sentence.

Read more: Safra Sarasin private bank and former asset manager sentenced
1MDB affair: JPMorgan to pay CHF 270 million

More

Swiss Politics

JPMorgan to pay CHF270 million to settle 1MDB claims

This content was published on JPMorgan Chase has agreed to pay CHF270 million to the Malaysian government to settle all issues related to its role in the 1MDB financial scandal.

Read more: JPMorgan to pay CHF270 million to settle 1MDB claims

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

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.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR