Eritrea festival organizers must pay for Solothurn police operation
Published: Thursday, Jun 27th 2024, 11:10
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The organizers of an event held by Eritrean supporters loyal to the regime at the end of March in Gerlafingen SO are being asked to pay for the necessary police operation. The canton of Solothurn has sent the organizers an invoice for 30,000 francs.
The police deployed a large contingent on Easter Sunday to prevent a clash between around 350 supporters of Eritrean dictator Isaias Afewerki and 180 opponents of the regime. A water cannon and tear gas were used. The police ended the event prematurely.
The fee bill of just under CHF 30,000 includes the costs for the additional members of the Solothurn and Bern cantonal police forces who were deployed to deal with the incident. This was written by the Solothurn cantonal council in response to an SVP interpellation in parliament. This also includes the water cannon of the Bern cantonal police.
According to the government council, special police services are subject to a fee. The organizer of events that require a costly, extraordinary police operation must pay.
However, basic police coverage such as contacting the organizer by telephone and patrol checks will not be charged.
According to the government council, the meeting of supporters loyal to the regime did not require a permit. It was a closed event in a restaurant.
A ban on such events would not be expedient. Landlords of properties and rooms should inform themselves about the tenants and the purpose of the event before concluding a contract. Several media outlets had previously reported.
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