Defense denounces failure of authorities in Bern fraud trial
Published: Tuesday, Oct 22nd 2024, 13:30
العودة إلى البث المباشر
In the fraud trial before the Bern Commercial Criminal Court on Tuesday, the defense lawyer for the accused man demanded an acquittal of the main charges. He argued that the authorities had failed in his client's case.
The man is on trial together with his wife for allegedly concealing a fortune worth millions from the authorities despite high tax debts.
Although his client had behaved passively, there was no question of concealing or hiding, the defense lawyer emphasized. Rather, he castigated the Bernese authorities, in particular the tax authorities, who had remained inactive and looked the other way. They had already made it very easy for the man.
The defendant allegedly failed to pay taxes for years. Numerous seizure proceedings were initiated, resulting in certificates of loss amounting to over 16.4 million francs. In each of the proceedings, the accused stated that he had no assets or significant income. The couple led a life of luxury with expensive cars, travel, clothes, watches and a wine collection. In Liechtenstein and later in Switzerland, the couple had parked over three million francs in an account.
There were not just suspicions, but clear facts that the authorities could have seen. "Professionals work there," emphasized the defence lawyer.
Although some authorities had become suspicious, no one had acted. The authorities would have had the necessary powers and authorizations to do so. It would have been reasonable to check the information. Instead, the authorities simply accepted much of it.
Of course, the mess would not have happened without the help of his defendant, the defense lawyer admitted. But if they had taken a closer look from the start, they could have prevented worse.
The defense lawyer demanded that his client be acquitted of all fraud charges. His client should be sentenced to a fine of 120 daily rates of 30 francs and a fine of 700 francs for other minor offenses.
These minor offenses include forging parking cards for people with walking disabilities. The man manipulated the expiration date on the cards so that he could park more easily himself.
The defense lawyer for the co-defendant's partner will make his plea on Tuesday afternoon. The verdict of the Commercial Criminal Court will be announced on Thursday. The accused are presumed innocent until a final verdict has been reached.
©كيستون/إسدا
Arabic 
English 
German 
French 
Spanish