EDA and Federal Prosecutor Intervene with US Authorities Over Allegations
Published: Friday, Aug 4th 2023, 17:40
Mise à jour le : Vendredi, 13 octobre 2023, 14:12
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The Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs (EDA) has intervened at a high level with US authorities regarding the allegations of the Helsinki Commission against the functionality of the Swiss justice system. Federal Prosecutor Stefan Blättler has sought contact with his US counterpart. Switzerland is a functioning rule of law state in which the separation of powers is respected. The Helsinki Commission, an independent committee of the US government, had previously requested sanctions against former Federal Prosecutor Michael Lauber and two other former federal employees. The background is the Magnitsky case. Financial expert and lawyer Sergei Magnitsky uncovered a fraud by Russian tax officials amounting to 230 million US dollars. Magnitsky was later arrested and died in custody. Part of the money ended up in Swiss bank accounts. The Swiss Federal Prosecutor's Office conducted an investigation, but discontinued it in 2021. Lauber and other federal employees are said to have ensured that the funds were returned to Russian persons subject to US sanctions. The Commission spoke of corruption and questioned the functioning of Swiss justice. In response, the EDA has intervened at a high level on appropriate diplomatic channels to inform the US authorities of its disagreement with the Helsinki Commission's statements. The request for sanctions against Lauber has been noted. Switzerland consistently implements international standards with regard to sanctions. In June 2023, Switzerland was officially recognized by the EU as a partner country in the enforcement of sanctions. Allegations that Switzerland does less than other countries and that it hosts funds of sanctioned persons without freezing them are unfounded.nnnn
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