Dispute over hidden oligarch funds: “We must put pressure on Switzerland”

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On Tuesday evening, the US Congress took on Switzerland. A US government agency that describes itself as independent has accused Switzerland of money laundering and helping Russia evade international sanctions. The so-called Helsinki Commission held a hearing for this. The Commission estimates that Swiss banks manage more than $200 billion in Russian funds.

According to SRF, London-based entrepreneur and activist Bill Browder, 59, testified before the committee that Russia could access and use the funds for the war in Ukraine. There must be consequences: “If Switzerland is not willing to voluntarily do something about it, we must put pressure on it,” said Browder, who testified as one of three witnesses. He also called on the Helsinki Commission to introduce sanctions against those responsible for the Swiss public prosecutor’s office. Officially, Switzerland was unable to defend itself on the spot.

Switzerland under pressure

During Tuesday’s hearing in Washington, Browder complained, according to “NZZ,” that Switzerland’s justice system was not working. He even expects money to flow back east in the middle of the war between Russia and Ukraine. He also testified that Switzerland froze only a fraction of Russian resources that could be used to kill innocent people in Ukraine at the time.

Browder openly spoke out for Congress to take action against Swiss authorities, individual officials or organizations. According to “NZZ”, he even mentioned individual names. In fact, the conflict over the return of Nazi gold has already shown, according to Browder, that Switzerland only reacts under great pressure.

Dissonants from Switzerland

The event had already caused irritation in federal Bern in advance. Secretary of State Ignazio Cassis (62) had a telephone conversation last year with his US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (61) about this matter to express his irritation: “We reject the politically unacceptable allegations and expect the US authorities to immediately correct,” Cassis told the Swiss media at the time. (she)

Source:Blick