Death of Samson Chukwu

Samson Chukwu (also spelled Samsson) (died 1 May 2001) was a 27-year-old Nigerian asylum seeker detained in the Swiss canton of Valais in an attempt to deport him to Lagos, Nigeria via Kloten, Switzerland.^[1] While detained in Granges, Valais at Crêtelongue Prison,^[2] he was handcuffed lying on his stomach. A police officer rested his weight onto Chukwu's back leading to Chukwu's death by "postural asphyxiation".^{[3][4][5][6][7][8]}

Died1 May 2001(2001-05-01) (aged 27)

Valais, Switzerland

Causeof deathAsphyxiation

Quick facts Samson Chukwu, Died ...

Samson Chukwu
Died	1 May 2001(2001-05-01) (aged 27) Valais, Switzerland
Cause of death	Asphyxiation

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Before authorities were able to complete an autopsy, State Councilor Jean-René Fournier, responsible for security and institutions claimed that the cause of death was a heart attack.^[9] The final autopsy results released in July 2001 confirmed asphyxiation as the cause of death.^[10]

Chukwu's family filed a lawsuit against local police officials. A Valais court later dismissed the lawsuit citing officer ignorance of the detainment method's danger.^[11] A doctor involved in attending to Chukwu received a suspended sentence for misdiagnosing Chukwu's breathing problems while he was detained and failing in his professional obligations. The doctor was also ordered to pay restitution to Chukwu's family.^[12]

Amnesty International used the case to urge Switzerland to reduce their program of forced deportations.^[2][13] The organization has also used Chukwu's death as evidence of a larger pattern of excessive force used by Swiss police,^[11] and the event lead to police reform in the country.^[14] Chukwu's death was the second case in two years of an asylum seeker being suffocated to death by Swiss authorities.^[10]

While large scale public protests did not occur at the time, Chukwu's name has often been cited in subsequent Black Lives Matter protests in Switzerland.^[15][16]