Racism Switzerland is sued for racial profiling in Strasbourg
An alleged victim of racial profiling is taking his case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg. Wilson A. from Nigeria was allegedly attacked by police officers in Zurich in 2009.
16.12.2025, 09:20
SDA
The now 52-year-old wants to prevent future cases of racial profiling and racist police violence, he announced on Tuesday. The Swiss justice system apparently does not want to tackle its own institutional racism.
This was triggered by an incident in October 2009, when Wilson A. was on the streetcar home from a party in Zurich with a friend who was also dark-skinned. A policeman and a policewoman demanded their IDs, according to Wilson A. solely because of the color of their skin.
The police officers then pounced on him for no reason, pepper-sprayed him, hit him and choked him. The police officers involved were acquitted. According to the police, Wilson A. was uncooperative and aggressive from the outset.
