The logo of the Wagner Group painted over with an anti-war graffito in Belgrade, Serbia.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved
The government has again expanded its list of sanctions against Russia, this time to include the paramilitary Wagner Group and the news agency RIA FAN.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/AFP/dos
Italiano
it
La Svizzera impone sanzioni al gruppo russo Wagner
The Swiss move follows and “reinforces the impact” of a similar decision taken by the European Union (EU) a week ago, the economics ministry said on Thursday.
The Wagner Group – a Russia-based military organisation and “an instrument of Russian hybrid warfare” – is being targeted for its “active participation in Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine”, the ministry wroteExternal link.
It added that while the legal nature of the Wagner group is unclear, it is “part of a complex network of global companies (operating in a range of sectors including aviation, security, technology, commodity trading, financial services and influencing activities) which are linked through overlapping ownership structures and logistics networks”.
RIA FAN – whose board of directors is headed up by Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin – has meanwhile been sanctioned for “dissemination of pro-government propaganda and disinformation”.
Prigozhin himself has been subject to Swiss sanctions since October 2020 due to activities in Libya, the Keystone-SDA news agency reports.
Facts and bans
Two other media outlets recently sanctioned by the EU – RT Arabic and Sputnik Arabic – escaped a similar measure from the Swiss side. While the channels are significant purveyors of Russian media manipulation and falsification, the Swiss government remains convinced that the best way to counter disinformation is with facts rather than bans, it said.
“Therefore, while these two media outlets will not be blocked in Switzerland, there will be a ban on advertising on them,” the economics ministry wrote.
The sanctions come into force at 6pm Swiss time on Thursday.
After some initial hesitation following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Switzerland has since followed the EU and introduced a series of sanctions against Russia. It has taken over ten packages of measures to date.
Working on Sundays is detrimental to well-being, says Swiss study
This content was published on
A study by the University of Bern shows that working on Sundays is detrimental to well-being and particularly affects women.
Safra Sarasin private bank and former asset manager sentenced
This content was published on
The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland has fined private bank J. Safra Sarasin CHF3.5 million for aggravated money laundering. A former bank employee received a six-month suspended prison sentence.
JPMorgan to pay CHF270 million to settle 1MDB claims
This content was published on
JPMorgan Chase has agreed to pay CHF270 million to the Malaysian government to settle all issues related to its role in the 1MDB financial scandal.
Famine confirmed in Gaza for first time, says UN-backed report
This content was published on
Famine has been declared in a northern part of the Gaza Strip, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) system.
Zurich Airport ground handling staff to strike on Friday
This content was published on
Ground handling staff at Zurich Airport have announced a strike for Friday afternoon. According to a union, 200 jobs are at risk.
This content was published on
Philippe Lazzarini will step down as head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) at the end of his term in March, he announced on Thursday.
Swiss government predicts CHF845 million budget deficit in 2026
This content was published on
The Federal Council published its 2026 budget proposal on Thursday: a projected deficit of CHF845 million francs ($1 billion).
This content was published on
The Gösgen nuclear power plant in northwestern Switzerland will be out of service for six months. It has not been connected to the grid since late May.
Swiss authorities and firms agree to cut sugar in cereals, yoghurts and drinks
This content was published on
Cereals, yoghurts and drinks in Switzerland will contain less sugar by 2028. The Swiss government and 21 companies renewed the so-called Milan Declaration in Bern on Thursday.
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
Switzerland adopts tenth sanctions package against Russia
This content was published on
The government is implementing additional European Union sanctions against Russia but wants to limit any unintended consequences on Swiss businesses.
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.