‘Pandora Papers’ shed more light on activities of Swiss financial advisors
Tax havens link up with a network of financial advisors and banks in numerous countries to funnel assets around the world.
Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
A new set of leaked documents, dubbed the Pandora Papers, has again exposed the role of Swiss lawyers, accountants and consultants in managing the wealth of powerful clients.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch/mga
Español
es
Papeles de Pandora exponen actividades de asesores suizos
The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) has revealed the contents of 11.9 million tax haven documents relating to the financial affairs of political leaders and other figures.
The leaked documents include details of how vast sums of money circulate around the world, including Switzerland, via opaque financial structures.
For example, one lawyer in central Switzerland tended to over 60 postbox firms on behalf of powerful people, including the president of Azerbaijan.
More than 90 Swiss advisers show up in the documents, including 26 that provided services to clients who have been probed by anti-money laundering investigators, according to ICIJExternal link.
While the Pandora Papers have yet to prove any criminal activity, previous leaks, such as the Panama Papers, have led to prosecutions.
Swiss banks have been forced to tighten their reporting of suspicious transactions in recent years, but efforts to impose such requirements on financial advisors have been rejected.
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
Five years after Covid lockdown, former Swiss health advisor looks back on crisis
This content was published on
Daniel Koch, former head of communicable diseases at the Federal Office of Public Health, recalls the key role played by the Swiss government during the Covid-19 crisis.
Credit Suisse turned down takeover bids one year before collapse
This content was published on
The management of Credit Suisse turned down takeover bids just over a year before the bank collapsed, says American investment banker Bob Diamond.
Geneva human rights film fest rewards 12 ‘impactful’ productions
This content was published on
The Geneva Grand Prix of the 2025 International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights (FIFDH) has been awarded to the Egyptian documentary, Les Filles du Nil.
Top Swiss commerce official to meet with Trump administration
This content was published on
The head of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, Helene Budliger Artieda, will travel to Washington next week.
Former US general advises Switzerland to prepare for war
This content was published on
According to former United States general Ben Hodges, the withdrawal of US troops from Europe is only a matter of time. In an interview with SonntagsBlick, he advises Switzerland to prepare for war.
This content was published on
The author of the bestseller Swiss Watching and former member of SWI swissinfo.ch's Public Council, Diccon Bewes, died on March 11 after a battle with cancer.
Anti-separatists in Bernese Jura mark 50th anniversary of crucial vote
This content was published on
Anti-separatist circles celebrated in Tramelan (BE) on Saturday the 50th anniversary of the vote of 16 March 1975 in which the population of the Bernese Jura chose to remain part of the Bernese Confederation. The theme of the jubilee was the identity of the Bernese Jura after Moutier's departure.
Nearly one in two bicycles sold in Switzerland is an e-bike
This content was published on
In 2024, almost every second bicycle sold in Switzerland was an e-bike. Overall, around 14% fewer bikes were sold than in the previous year.
Over 200 Swiss firms sign up to CO2 reduction targets
This content was published on
To date, 237 companies from Switzerland have joined the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), committing to CO2 reduction targets in line with the Paris Accord.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Parliament agrees modest tightening of anti-money laundering law
This content was published on
Swiss lawmakers have agreed to revise the money laundering law but have rejected new rules for lawyers, notaries and other consultants.
US charges Swiss finance firm and six people with tax evasion
This content was published on
Six people and a Swiss financial services company have been charged in the United States with helping clients evade taxes on $60 million of assets.
Swiss lawyers seek to keep special ‘advisor’ status in the shadow economy
This content was published on
Anti-corruption expert Mark Pieth offers perspective on how lawyers are trying to keep a loophole that allows them to set up offshore structures.
Tax authorities say 450 Swiss linked to Panama Papers
This content was published on
“We have found 450 people – people in the legal and physical sense – who have a link to offshore structures and Switzerland,” spokesman Joel Weibel told Swiss public radio, SRF, on Monday. The use of offshore entities is not in itself illegal. Weibel said the information on the 450 people would now be passed…
Paradise Papers fuel Swiss better business initiative – for now
This content was published on
In Switzerland, a coalition of 85 non-governmental organisations and trade unions are backing an initiative called “responsible business”.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.