BERN, Jan 25: Demonstrators against this week's World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos said on Tuesday they planned to hold a series of new protests against the annual gathering of business and political leaders.

Demonstrations, similar to a peaceful rally in the Swiss capital on Saturday, were scheduled to take place in Bern and Biel on Thursday, followed by further action in Basel and the plush Swiss Alpine resort of Davos on Saturday, a spokesman for the anti-WEF movement told a news conference.

The group had already requested permission to demonstrate on Thursday, one day after the official opening of the world's leading free-market forum. In addition, three people who were arrested by police during Saturday's protest recalled a gruelling ordeal in which they claim to have been handcuffed, photographed, stripped and interrogated.

The three told reporters that they were held without food or drink in cells inside a garage for several hours without being told exactly why. In total, police arrested some 84 people on Saturday.

In preparation for the economic forum, which runs until Sunday, Swiss authorities have mobilized up to 5,000 troops, a squadron of F18 fighters and 50 helicopters to protect the well-heeled and well-connected participants. -AFP