Police uncover illegal weapons deal with Kosovo
Swiss police have uncovered a secret weapons deal, in which anti-tank artillery and ammunition were sent to Albania to aid the Kosovo Liberation Army in their struggle against Serbia.
The Federal Prosecutor’s Office said on Tuesday that the weapons were sent to Albania during the summer of 1999.
It said the delivery was arranged by Kosovo Albanians, resident in Switzerland, with the assistance of two business people – one Swiss and one French. They helped the Kosovars to secure the weapons and send them to Albania under false papers.
The Prosecutor’s Office said two people had been arrested in connection with the case, but it gave no further details about their involvement or identities.
“Two people, who were arrested on July 13, 2000 remain in investigative custody due to the danger they might collude or flee,” it said in a statement.
It added that the weapons and ammunition were worth SFr4.5 million ($2.63 million).
The Prosecutor’s Office has now handed the case over to the Geneva cantonal authorities, who assisted in the investigation.
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