Could George W. Bush face arrest in Switzerland?

The former president canceled a trip to Geneva amid threats by human rights groups that they'd pursue legal charges against him for sanctioning torture

Groups protesting former President Bush's visit were threatening to throw shoes at him, a reference to a notorious 2008 incident.
(Image credit: Getty)

Former President George W. Bush was forced to forgo a planned trip to Switzerland this week as human rights activists exerted growing pressure on the Swiss government to arrest him for allegedly sanctioning "the torture of terrorism suspects" held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Left-wing protesters even threatened to file a criminal complaint against the former president. Here, a brief guide to the controversy:

Why was Bush heading to Switzerland?

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us