Bern police fire rubber bullets as unauthorised protest turns violent

Protests in Europe spread to Switzerland on Saturday night as a spontaneous demonstration in Bern turned into a riot and resulted in a strong response from Swiss police.

Bern police respond to riot with rubber bullets

On Saturday, October 17, an “unauthorised” demonstration kicked off in Switzerland's de facto capital of Bern. Just after 11.20pm, a group gathered at the Schützenmatte and began marching toward the Lorraine district, states a Bern Cantonal Police press report.

Demonstrators set off fireworks and refused police orders to turn back to the city, pushing past police tape and continuing toward police forces at Känzeli. Fireworks and projectiles were fired at Bern cantonal police officers who had been deployed to the scene and, in response, officers used rubber bullets on the protesters.

The demonstration extended well into the hours of Sunday morning and ended at around 3.40am, after police monitored demonstrators' activity at the Reitschule and responded to an attack on emergency services.

Violent protests spreading across Europe

According to the Bern cantonal police, no one was injured during the incidents, and an investigation has subsequently been launched. 

It is unclear what the protestors were demonstrating against, but it comes at a time when protests grip major European cities in France, Italy and Belgium. French protestors have been calling for the government to take action over high fuel prices and the cost of living, with demonstrations evolving from student protests over failing public schools.