Strengthening money laundering procedures
A meeting recently took place in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, between the Swiss Federal Prosecutor's Office and the Tunisian judicial authorities. The direct bilateral exchange is intended to support the law enforcement agencies of both countries.
"Mutual legal assistance relations between Tunisia and Switzerland are basically working well," says Attorney General Michael Lauber. On October 12, 2015, he and a three-member delegation from the Swiss Attorney General's Office (BA) met with Tunisian judicial authorities in Tunis. The agenda included the mutual exchange of information regarding criminal proceedings being conducted by both countries in cases of suspected money laundering and other offenses in connection with the "Arab Spring".
"Crucial stage of law enforcement"
The aim of the high-level bilateral meeting is to accelerate and advance the respective proceedings as well as mutual legal assistance. "The Swiss investigations are at a crucial stage. Direct exchanges on the mutual status of investigations as well as possible legal obstacles are important," Federal Prosecutor Lauber said at a media orientation in Tunis shortly before returning to Switzerland. "Coordinated cooperation is essential and the contribution of the Tunisian authorities is crucial to the success of the Swiss proceedings."
Criminal proceedings against 12 persons and unknown
In this connection, the BA is conducting criminal proceedings against 12 persons as well as against unknown persons. The defendants are charged with money laundering (305bis SCC), participation in and/or support of a criminal organization (260ter SCC) and bribery of foreign public officials (322septies SCC). The BA has blocked around 60 million Swiss francs in accounts in Switzerland. One of the BA's goals is to ensure that this money can be returned to its rightful owners within a reasonable period of time.
Press release Office of the Attorney General
