Geneva Court of Appeal confirms sentences for Biya’s bodyguards
Published: Monday, Feb 12th 2024, 18:10
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Six bodyguards of Cameroonian President Paul Biya have been sentenced to conditional fines by the Geneva Court of Appeal and Review for harassing a journalist. The court thus confirmed the verdicts of the lower court.
Robert Assaël, the lawyer of one of the security officers, confirmed a corresponding report in the Geneva daily newspaper "Tribune de Genève" on Monday. With one exception, the sentences handed down by the Court of Appeal were the same as those imposed by the Geneva police court.
In the first instance, the bodyguards received suspended fines.
The case caused a stir and was taken all the way to the Federal Supreme Court. The bodyguards of the Cameroonian president had argued that they enjoyed immunity. The judges rejected this view as they were of the opinion, given the circumstances, that the officers had not acted for Biya's safety on that day.
The reporter for RTS radio and television in western Switzerland was physically attacked in 2019 outside the Intercontinental Hotel, where Biya was staying, and was slightly injured when the bodyguards intervened, while his professional equipment and some personal belongings were taken from him.
The journalist had reported on a rally by Cameroonian opposition members in front of Biya's hotel in Geneva.
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