Police were on hand to break up the protest
Keystone
A campaign event sponsored by the conservative right Swiss People’s Party in Zurich main train station on Thursday turned into a minor riot when a group of leftwing protesters began drowning out party president Toni Brunner’s remarks with boos and catcalls.
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About 40 activists threw smoke bombs and the police had to resort to tear gas in order to cordon off the location and bring the situation under control, as seen in a videoExternal link on the website of the Tages-Anzeiger newspaper.
Police said five people were arrested. One person was slightly injured in scuffles.
The event had started peacefully earlier in the day, with beer and sausages, music and speeches about freedom and independence.
On hand were several prominent People’s Party candidates for election to the parliament in October, including the party president.
It was the first time that the train station had been used for a political event since the Federal Court approved a change in the regulations governing advertising in Swiss train stations in July 2012.
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