Forrest Rogers

🚨We got big news while I’m here in 🇨🇭: Swiss justice ministry just lifted immunity from Nicoletta della Valle, the pro-Israel police chief whose orders led to my illegal arrest. Prosecutors will now begin a criminal probe! @AsaWinstanley has the story electronicintifada.net/blogs…

🚨 Why I'm returning to Switzerland after my unlawful detention: I am returning to Switzerland next week to participate in hearings related to criminal complaints I have filed in connection with my unlawful detention in Zurich in January 2025. In February this year, Switzerland’s Federal Administrative Court ruled that the January 2025 entry ban and expulsion order against me were issued despite there being no evidence that my speech violated Swiss law or that I posed any threat to Switzerland. The court found serious violations of my procedural rights, ordered Fedpol, the Swiss national police agency, to make a substantial contribution to my legal costs and refunded my court fees. I can now also confirm that in March and April, Fedpol issued decisions finding that I did not constitute a threat to the internal or external security of Switzerland when I last came to the country, thus rendering the entry ban and expulsion decisions of January 2025 unlawful. Fedpol had previously assessed that the opinions I express do not attack democratic values or the rule of law and fall within the scope of the right to free speech under the Swiss constitution. A Swiss parliamentary investigation previously found evidence that the entry ban and expulsion order were issued following improper political interference by Nicoletta della Valle, the top federal law enforcement official at the time. Della Valle has close ties to Israel and has expressed outspoken pro-Israel opinions. I have separately filed a criminal complaint against her, which is still pending. The federal court victory followed a December 2025 ruling by the Zurich Administrative Court, which confirmed that my arrest and detention violated the Swiss Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights. Together, these unlawful actions prevented me from participating in public events organized by Swiss citizens and residents to discuss Israel’s genocide in Gaza. They amounted to a severe form of official censorship. They violated my human rights and, in my view, the constitutional rights of Swiss citizens to freedom of assembly and to receive information. Next week’s hearings relate to criminal complaints concerning individual conduct. They are legally distinct from the administrative proceedings that successfully challenged and overturned unlawful government actions. Pursuant to Article 204 of the Swiss Code of Criminal Procedure, I requested and received a letter of safe passage from the prosecutor guaranteeing that I will not be arrested or subjected to restrictions on my liberty while I am in Switzerland for the hearings. In addition, my lawyers obtained written confirmation from Swiss federal authorities that there are no restrictions on my entry into the country. I expect Swiss authorities to fully respect my rights and to adhere strictly to the rule of law. My legal team stands ready to take all necessary steps in the event of any violation. I believe my unlawful detention in January 2025 was intended to punish and silence me for speaking out and to discourage others from doing so. My legal action seeks to ensure transparency and deter similar abuses against anyone in the future. During my time in Switzerland, I look forward to participating in a teach-in hosted by Watermelon University on 23 June, an event originally planned for January 2025. My pursuit of accountability and defense of free speech is being made possible by crowdfunded public support. I’m deeply grateful to each and every person who has contributed and spoken out.