Geneva protest turns violent as police use tear gas ahead of G7 PHOTO

Police in Geneva, Switzerland used tear gas and water cannon after a protest against the G7 summit escalated into violence, following what had largely been a peaceful demonstration in the Swiss city.

Around 20,000 people marched through Geneva on June 14 to denounce the gathering of leaders from the world’s richest democracies, which is due to open on June 15 in nearby Evian, France, across Lake Geneva, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreing media.

Authorities had approved a route away from the city centre’s luxury shopping districts in an effort to avoid unrest similar to that seen during the 2003 G8 summit.

Most participants protested peacefully under hot weather conditions, waving Palestinian flags and climate banners while chanting against capitalism and Western military alliances. Protesters carried signs reading “No to the G7 and all imperialist alliances” and “Abort the G7.”

However, tensions escalated when groups of black-clad demonstrators broke away from the main march, damaging barriers, attacking residential buildings and setting vehicles on fire. A Tesla car was seen burning with the words “Eat the Rich” sprayed on it, while buildings near the European headquarters of the United Nations were also damaged.

Police said around 600 so-called “Black Bloc” activists were involved in the violence and responded with crowd-control measures, including tear gas and water cannon.

The G7 summit, one of the first major international gatherings since the US and Israel launched a war against Iran in February, is expected to focus on the Iran conflict and Russia’s war in Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Evian on Sunday to host US President Donald Trump and other G7 leaders, as thousands of security personnel were deployed across the French-Swiss border region.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov