Swiss probe illegal chemicals exports to South Africa

(Reuters) -- Switzerland has launched an investigation into possible espionage and illegal chemicals exports to South Africa, the Swiss Federal Prosecutor's Office said on Monday.

(Reuters) — Switzerland has launched an investigation into possible espionage and illegal chemicals exports to South Africa, the Swiss Federal Prosecutor’s Office said on Monday.

“An investigation has been launched against person or persons unknown related to espionage and infraction of the law on the control of goods,” spokesman Dominique Reymond told Reuters.

“There is a suspicion that, among other things, technologies and materials were developed in Switzerland and illegally exported to South Africa,” he said, adding that the materials involved chemicals.

Reymond confirmed a report in the Swiss weekly SonntagsZeitung that the investigations were linked to the activities of South African Wouter Basson, who allegedly ran a government unit that poisoned and killed opponents of apartheid.

“The investigation is linked to the activities of this man (Basson),” Reymond said.

Details of the apartheid era programme — which included making untraceable poisons to assassinate enemies of the state — came to light last year during hearings by South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Basson is facing trial in South Africa in October on some 50 charges ranging from murder to selling illegal drugs.

In addition to its own investigation, Switzerland will monitor Basson’s trial for further insight into the case, Reymond said.

The spokesman could not say when the Swiss probe might be completed.