The Office of the Attorney General of Geneva is investigating a suspected case of fraud linked to the Papyrus scheme to regularise the situation of long-term clandestine migrants living in the canton.
This content was published on
3 minutes
Keystone-SDA/Tribune de Genève/sb
العربية
ar
شبهة احتيال في علاقة بملف تسوية أوضاع المهاجرين غير الشرعيين
The attorney general’s office has confirmed that prosecutors are carrying out several investigations, one of which led to the arrest of a man on January 13.
“The suspect is alleged to have created and produced several false documents for money,” spokesperson Marc Guéniat told Keystone-SDA on Tuesday, confirming a report in the Tribune de Genève newspaperExternal link. Ongoing probes are seeking to determine the extent of the fraud.
The initial alert was reportedly given by Geneva’s Cantonal Population and Migration Office (OCPM). Subsequent checks uncovered the alleged fraudulent cases, which were passed on the attorney general’s office.
Around 3,500 long-term clandestine migrants living in Geneva are expected to be regularised under the canton-run ‘Papyrus’ scheme, which officially began on February 20, 2017, preceded by a test phase that began in 2015. Around 76,000 illegal immigrants are believed to be living in Switzerland. Of these, canton Geneva is home to 13,000.
Laurent Paoliello, spokesperson for the Cantonal Security, Employment and Health Department, stressed that problematic cases like the one reported by the Tribune de Genève were the exception. He added that Papyrus dossiers are examined on a case-by-case basis and any suspected cases of fraud are immediately passed to justice officials.
According to the Tribune de Genève, the arrested suspect is a Kosovar man who allegedly helped dozens of people regularise their situations by offering them false documents in return for payment.
Papyrus has been viewed as a positive development by many Geneva politicians, officials and migrant associations, allowing a significant number of people to come out of the shadows. It has also given the authorities a clearer view of the underground sector and related issues like employment and health. Critics, like the local chapter of the rightwing Swiss People’s Party, reckon that the programme sends a “disastrous signal” and will simply attract more illegal immigrants to the region.
Under the Papyrus scheme, Geneva has introduced accompanying measures to prevent abuses and to keep newly regularised workers on the job market, so they do not have to rely on social assistance if they lose their jobs. It has, for example, launched a website for domestic employment where employees can offer their services. The Geneva authorities have pushed employers to conform with the law and declare their staff. Additional checks have been carried out among employers.
People applying to be regularised under Papyrus had to meet strict criteria. For families with children, one family member had to prove they had been living in Geneva for at least five years continuously. For people without children, the requirement was ten years.
Applicants also had to be financially independent, declare all current employment, be free of debt or legal proceedings, and demonstrate basic French language skills.
Popular Stories
More
Swiss oddities
Mennonite movement turns 500 in Zurich, where it all began
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
Zurich laboratory finds intestinal bacteria in coffee machines
This content was published on
Last year, the Zurich Cantonal Laboratory found defects in one in four samples of milk drinks from coffee machines. Too many intestinal bacteria were found in a number of samples.
SWISS Belgrade-Zurich flight forced to land in Germany
This content was published on
Swiss flight LX1413 from Belgrade to Zurich had to make an unscheduled landing today in Friedrichshafen, southern Germany.
New Swiss 3D simulation tool offers better landslide forecasting
This content was published on
A new 3D simulation tool is enabling much more accurate avalanche forecasts. The model, which proved its worth during the landslides in Brienz (GR) and Blatten (VS), could lead to more effective management of alpine risks.
Alleged leader of Kosovar terrorist group indicted in Switzerland
This content was published on
The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland has brought charges against a Kosovar on suspicion of being the leader of the Swiss branch of a Kosovar terrorist organisation. He is also suspected of having been active in the management of the organisation in Kosovo.
Swiss glacier lake drains without causing flooding damage
This content was published on
The Faverges glacial lake on the Plaine Morte above Lenk in the Bernese Oberland drained over the weekend. There was no flooding or damage, the authorities announced on Monday.
Chihuahua leads Swiss rescue team to owner stuck in a crevasse
This content was published on
A Chihuahua helped to rescue a man on the Fee Glacier above Saas-Fee VS on Friday. It alerted a rescue team to its owner who had fallen into a crevasse.
Swiss bosses distance themselves from the United States
This content was published on
According to a survey of managers, Swiss companies are increasingly turning away from the USA and orientating themselves more towards Southeast Asia and the EU. This is the result of a recent survey.
This content was published on
The Fête de l'Epouvantail (scarecrow festival) is celebrating its 30th anniversary and returns to Denens in canton Vaud for its seventh edition from July 10-20.
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
Geneva to regularise 3,500 clandestine immigrants
This content was published on
Around 3,500 undocumented migrants living in Geneva are expected to be regularised under the ‘Papyrus’ scheme launched in 2015.
This content was published on
Some 76,000 illegal and undocumented immigrants live in Switzerland. In 2015, Geneva launched a pilot project to go about regularising them.
Zurich wants ID cards for all – even illegal immigrants
This content was published on
On Wednesday, the city’s legislative body adopted a motion calling for all residents of the city, including undocumented migrants, to be able to obtain and use an identity card. The city council, which had opposed the idea, now has two years to draft a bill to this effect. The proposal by left-wing, environmental and alternative…
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.