Challenges for security forces at the WEF
Published: Friday, Jan 19th 2024, 16:40
Updated At: Friday, Jan 19th 2024, 16:40
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This year's World Economic Forum (WEF) was a challenge for the security forces. Among the 2800 guests were 111 persons protected under international law. The preceding Ukraine conference on Sunday further extended the operation.
The security policy environment, high-ranking guests, the preceding Ukraine conference on Sunday, official visits by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selensky and Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang on Monday with stops in Bern and at the Lohn country residence near Bern and, last but not least, rallies against the Annual Meeting posed a challenge for the security forces this year.
Nevertheless, everything went smoothly. There were no major incidents, the Graubünden authorities told the Keystone-SDA news agency on Friday. The Swiss Air Force had recorded one "minor" breach of regulations in the restricted airspace over Swiss soil and had been informed of four breaches of regulations over Austria, the Swiss Armed Forces wrote on Friday afternoon.
Increased protection measures had to be put in place for 111 people protected under international law during the WEF and an additional seven people at the conference on Sunday.
Among other things, special measures were required for Zelensky's visit. When he was invited to give a speech at "Ukraine House" on the Davos Promenade after his speech at the Congress Center, an entire section of the street had to be cordoned off.
Dozens of snipers and ground forces guarded the Ukrainian president. He also traveled on a special train from Bern to Davos on Monday. This journey was initially kept secret for security reasons.
During the WEF, police from all cantons and the larger cities, the Principality of Liechtenstein and around 5000 members of the army were deployed. After the end of the annual meeting on Friday afternoon, the security infrastructure, including 52 kilometers of protective fencing around Davos, will be dismantled. The duration of the work will also depend on the weather, it was reported on request.
©Keystone/SDA
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