A Swiss court has acquitted six white police officers of charges of negligent homicide in the case of a Black man’s death. The man, Mike Ben Peter, suffered a fatal heart attack after being restrained during an arrest in Lausanne. The acquittal has sparked concerns about structural racism in Switzerland, with comparisons drawn to the killing of George Floyd in the United States.
Judge Pierre Bruttin, while acknowledging the tragedy of the case, ruled that the officers had to be acquitted based on the evidence presented, which included expert medical testimonials. The officers denied the charges throughout the trial, and Swiss privacy laws prevent their identities from being disclosed. The judge cited factors such as Ben Peter’s obesity and the stress of the situation as contributing to his death.
As the verdict was read out, supporters of the victim’s family expressed their outrage, shouting “shame” and “scandal.” Subsequently, around 100 protesters entered the court building, directing their anger towards defense lawyers and security officers.
Ben Peter’s death has ignited calls for police reform in Switzerland, although defense lawyers have rejected comparisons to the George Floyd case. A U.N. report and a government-mandated study have both highlighted systemic racism within Switzerland, including concerns about excessive use of force and the expectation of impunity by the police.
According to the indictment, the officers confronted Ben Peter during a drug patrol, leading to the use of pepper spray, knee kicks, and physical force to subdue him. He was held face-down for several minutes until it was realized he was unresponsive. Despite attempts to resuscitate him, Ben Peter was pronounced dead following a heart attack.
The public prosecutor unexpectedly dropped the charges against the officers, stating that they had only violated the rules of prudence. However, the court retained the authority to reach a verdict on the case.
