Self-styled “terrorist” Marcel Boillat, leader of a 1960s movement to separate the Jura region in Switzerland from canton Bern, has died in Spain at the age of 91.
Boillat formed the Jura Liberation Front (JLF) in 1962, which has been credited with helping to force independence for Switzerland’s youngest canton, in the northwest of the country, in 1979. The JLF also earned a reputation for its uncompromising tactics during the independence struggle in the 1960s and 1970s.
Among other measures, the JLF burned down several farms that had been sold by canton Bern to the Swiss army to be converted into military facilities.
Boillat was arrested in 1964 and sentenced to eight years imprisonment in 1966. But a year later he escaped prison and fled to Spain.
The activist, who has been quoted in the media describing himself as a “retired terrorist”, returned to the Jura for the first time in 1987 after Switzerland had dropped its extradition request to Spain. His last reported visit to the region was in November 2019.
In later life Boillat took to painting and six years ago some of his works were exhibited in Jura, where he remains a revered figure.
The separatist issue has not quite died away in Jura. Last year a court overruled a vote in the town of Moutier, which had decided to move the community from canton Bern to the administration of Jura.
More
More
Four decades on, Switzerland’s newest region is still growing up
This content was published on
Born in 1979, Switzerland’s youngest canton still owes much of its political and economic fate to the federal system that houses it.
Swiss justice minister hopes EU reform will reduce irregular migration
This content was published on
The European Union’s (EU) New Pact on Migration and Asylum aims to curb irregular migration within Schengen, Justice Minister Beat Jans said on Tuesday.
Swiss electricity supply outlook positive despite uncertainties
This content was published on
Thanks to well-filled gas stores in Europe and increased availability of French nuclear power, the Swiss Federal Electricity Commission is optimistic.
Finance minister wants Swiss banks to hold more equity
This content was published on
Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter has repeated calls for banks and their holdings in subsidiaries abroad to hold more equity.
Telecoms sector kept Swiss competitions regulator busy in 2023
This content was published on
Last year, the Swiss Competition Commission (COMCO) conducted 27 investigations and initiated 17 preliminary investigations.
This content was published on
Although Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) achieved higher revenue at the start of the year, it suffered a dip in profits.
40,000 signatures against animal testing in Switzerland
This content was published on
Switzerland should do away with “restrictive” animal testing and should become a model for innovative, effective, and pain-free scientific research.
More than 45,000 signatures in favour of federal funding for UNRWA
This content was published on
The Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives (FAC) is expected to decide on the funding of the UNRWA at the beginning of the week.
This content was published on
At the end of January 2024, 6,881 men and women were behind bars in Switzerland. Almost 95% of all places were occupied, the highest number since 2014.
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.
Read more
More
Four decades on, Switzerland’s newest region is still growing up
This content was published on
Born in 1979, Switzerland’s youngest canton still owes much of its political and economic fate to the federal system that houses it.
Thousands of separatists protest Moutier vote court decision
This content was published on
Several thousand protesters held a mock funeral in the Swiss town of Moutier, criticising a court decision to overturn a contentious vote.
Canton Jura celebrates 40th birthday – without Bern delegation
This content was published on
Large crowds gathered in Saignelégier, canton Jura, on Sunday to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Switzerland’s youngest canton.
Court supports decision to declare Moutier vote invalid
This content was published on
The Bern administrative court has backed a decision to cancel the results of a separatist vote by the Swiss town of Moutier.
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.