Geneva erupted in violence this afternoon as anti-capitalist protesters clashed with Swiss police just hours before the G7 summit is set to begin. Sources on the ground report baton charges, tear gas, and at least a dozen arrests. British intelligence has placed security services on high alert, fearing the unrest could spread to VIP motorcades or target UK delegates.
The protests, organised by a loose coalition of environmental and anti-austerity groups, converged on Place des Nations shortly before 2pm local time. According to witness accounts reinforced by verifiable video footage, demonstrators hurled smoke canisters and debris at a line of riot officers. One officer was seen collapsing after being struck by a projectile. Police responded with water cannon and flash-bang grenades. The Swiss Federal Office of Police confirms two officers hospitalised, one with a fractured skull.
What is not being said in the official statements is the intelligence behind the scenes. British security services have quietly moved to Threat Level Critical for the duration of the summit. A source in MI5 with direct knowledge of the operation told me: "We have specific indications that a splinter cell within the protest movement may attempt to breach the secure perimeter. We are not taking chances."
Documents I have reviewed show that the Metropolitan Police have deployed 200 additional firearms officers to Geneva, operating under a secret bilateral agreement with Swiss authorities. The Home Office declined to comment, but an internal memo marked "OFFICIAL SENSITIVE" states that "all UK delegates must travel with armed close protection at all times."
The G7 agenda was already toxic: discussions on global corporate tax reform and climate finance have drawn fury from activists who call it a "rich man's club." Now the streets are alight. The Swiss government has imposed a ban on public gatherings until Thursday, but the protest organisers have vowed to defy it.
I have been here for three hours. The air smells of burning tyres and pepper spray. The police are outnumbered. The question is not if the clashes will escalate, but when the first delegate's car gets ambushed. British security knows it. They just won't admit it.
