Switzerland investigates 100 suspected violations of Russia sanctions  

Switzerland has flagged around 100 suspicious cases for suspected violations of sanctions related to Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to its State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (‘SECO’), the body responsible for implementing and monitoring the sanctions.

SECO said, 14 March, that it had registered around 100 suspicious cases for examination which were reported by the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (‘FOCBS’), adding that proceedings had so far been opened in 23 cases, with the two latest ones concerning Belarus.

In 13 cases, criminal proceedings were dropped for lack of sufficient evidence. A further 60 cases are still being analysed, SECO said, adding it would not disclose names of individuals or companies because investigations are ongoing.

The majority of the suspected cases are thought to involve possible violations of sanctions on goods, including luxury goods or goods of economic importance to Russia, including vehicle parts, computers, watches, luxury bags and other goods.