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Brazil demands probe into alleged racist attack

Brazil has called for a full inquiry into allegations one of its citizens was subjected to a racist attack in Zurich, according to media reports.

This content was published on February 13, 2009 - 08:54

Police are investigating claims by a Brazilian woman that she was attacked in a Zurich railway station by three youths sporting neo Nazi symbols, who carved the initials of the rightwing Swiss People's Party into her skin.

The 26-year-old lawyer says she miscarried twins immediately after the attack. But at a news conference on Friday afternoon, Zurich police said she had not been pregnant at the time.

Swiss and Brazilian newspapers have printed photographs of the cuts on her legs and abdomen.

The French news agency said the Swiss ambassador to Brazil had been summoned by the foreign minister, Celso Amorim, who expressed "deep concern" over a "case with an obvious xenophobic motive".

He added that a thorough inquiry was needed "not only for the person attacked but also for the good relations between Brazil and Switzerland".

In compliance with the JTI standards

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

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