Zurich police officers face trial for alleged racism and violence

This Thursday, three Zurich city police officers will stand trial before the Zurich high court. They are accused of seriously injuring a black man during an arrest in 2009. The man accuses the police officers of racism and police violence. The accused and the public prosecutor's office hold a perspective. In April 2018, the Zurich District Court acquitted the defendants, two police officers and a policewoman from the Zurich city police, of the charge of endangering life. At the time, the public prosecutor had also requested an acquittal - contrary to her own indictment. The private plaintiff did not agree with the judgement, which is why the case will be heard by the High Court on Thursday. In October 2009, Nigerian-born Wilson A. was sitting on a tram in Zurich after midnight with another dark-skinned man. The two men had previously attended a party and were on their way home when two police officers got on the tram and asked to see their identification. The police officers ...