Police foil Bern anti-WEF demo
Hundreds of police have stopped a protest against the World Economic Forum (WEF) in the Swiss capital, Bern.
More than 100 people were prevented from holding the demonstration, which did not have official permission. Police said they acted because of concerns over violence.
The event had been called by the organisers under the slogan: “Wipe out WEF”, ahead of the WEF flagship meeting in the Swiss resort of Davos.
The gathering, which starts on January 25, brings together many political and economic leaders to discuss world issues.
According to the Swiss news agency, police from four cantons were on duty on Saturday, carrying out identity checks. A Bern cantonal police spokesman refused to say how many police were there, but called the numbers “considerable”.
Some anti-WEF protestors have criticised the police. One group, AntiRep Bern, said in a statement on Sunday that police action was “disproportionate”
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