Complaint of racism in Basel after Algerians were expelled from the house

Accusations of racism in Basel: man is prohibited from entering the house because he has “behaved in a conspicuous manner”

He had entered the Basel store with the intention of rummaging around and, if necessary, buying something. He went out of business with a house ban on all Globus branches.

Elodie Kolb / ch media

Together with a friend, Mohammed L. * delved into the men’s world on Freie Strasse in Basel last October. When he had the feeling while shopping that he was being watched by staff, he wanted to leave the store. This is how the Algerian native to ch media describes it.

However, before the two friends could leave, the store staff stopped them at the entrance and asked if they had stolen anything. Both their warranties and searches conducted by the store detective revealed, according to L., that they had no stolen items with them.

The police also found no evidence of theft.

So the situation has already degenerated into an argument. “I felt provoked and that’s why I called the police,” L. said. With this, he also wanted to give the Globus employees involved time to rethink the accusation, which he did not understand. The arriving police were also unable to find any stolen property when the two men were searched again.

Although they obviously hadn’t stolen anything, L. later received a form from Globus employees, banning him from all Globus branches for the next five years. In the form given to the bz, the reason for the ban was recorded: he and his colleague “behaved in a conspicuous and suspicious manner and notified the police.

Household prohibitions only in “justified cases”

On request, Globus confirmed the incident: “The case is documented internally,” says the communications department. And: “In our opinion, the ban is justified.” However, due to data protection and privacy, it is not possible to go into more details. “Of course, Globus branches do not perform arbitrary checks on customers. Housing bans are also issued only in justified cases. “This is the case, for example, in case of theft or attempted theft. But it could also be prohibited in the case of” anomalies with respect to customers, sales staff or security “.

Last Friday, L. protested together with the group “Kleinbasel in solidarity” in front of the male globe. Both classify the house ban as racism. “It occurred without an objective basis,” writes the group to which L. and his colleague also belong. “Kleinbasel solidarisch” is a young group that campaigns against racism, sexism and against a city for the rich. During their protest on Friday, they held up a large banner in front of the store with the inscription: “Entry ban for nothing? House ban for racism! “They distributed flyers to passersby who, according to the group, were” shocked. “

* Name changed