The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), which is responsible for implementing and monitoring the sanctions, has registered a total of around 100 suspicious cases for examination, it said at a press briefing in Bern on Tuesday. The suspicious cases were reported by the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS).
Proceedings have so far been opened in 23 cases, with the two latest ones concerning Russia’s ally Belarus.
In 13 cases, criminal proceedings were dropped for lack of sufficient evidence. A further 60 cases are still being analysed, according to the official source. SECO cannot disclose names of individuals or companies concerned because of the ongoing proceedings, officials said.
A majority of the suspected cases involve possible violations of sanctions on goods, including luxury goods or goods of economic importance to Russia. One official cited vehicle parts, computers, watches, luxury bags or other goods. In some cases, a decision may be taken to sequestrate the goods.
SECO stressed the heavy workload involved in examining all these cases. The government’s allocation of five additional posts until the end of 2023 will enable SECO to process the 300 or so external applications still pending within a reasonable time, it said. But it will again raise the issue of resources with government, as the sanctions regime will be maintained beyond 2023.
A tenth set of international sanctions against Moscow is currently being prepared, including on chips and other electronic components. Switzerland has followed European sanctions against Russia and its ally Belarus following Moscow’s February 24, 2022 invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.
Swiss authorities announce cost-cutting in asylum sector
This content was published on
The government notably wants to improve integration into the labour force, particularly for people with protection status S.
Various leaders confirm participation at Ukraine peace conference
This content was published on
The presidents of Poland, Finland, and Latvia and the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium will be at the Swiss-hosted talks in mid-June.
This content was published on
In the winter season up to April 2024, railway and cable car operators ferried 3% more visitors compared to the previous winter, and 5% more than the five-year average.
Rhine flooding: Swiss to invest CHF1 billion with Austria
This content was published on
As part of an international agreement with Austria, the Swiss government wants to pump CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion) into flood protection measures along the Rhine over the next three decades.
Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation
This content was published on
After months of debate, Switzerland plans to give CHF10 million ($11 million) to the UN agency this year, rather than the CHF20 million initially foreseen.
Swiss study: insects mainly migrate at midday and dusk
This content was published on
A study led by the Swiss Ornithological Institute in canton Lucerne is helping to better understand the movement patterns of migratory insects.
Red Cross: 22 staff killed in Middle East since October
This content was published on
The Red Cross and Red Crescent network in Gaza and Israel has lost 22 staff members since last October, the Swiss Red Cross (SRC) said on Wednesday.
Dortmund’s Kobel is first Swiss goalie in Champions League final
This content was published on
Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel has achieved history by becoming the first Swiss goalkeeper to reach a Champion’s League final.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
This content was published on
Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
How Russian sanctions are permeating Switzerland’s luxury sanctum
This content was published on
Sanctions against Russian assets abroad have resulted in a cat-and-mouse game in Switzerland between regulators and oligarchs.
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.