Colombian image sparks Swiss investigation
The Swiss Federal Prosecutor's Office is carrying out an inquiry at the request of the Colombian government.
The probe centres on the publication on the internet of an image “damaging to the honour” of the Colombian president Álvaro Uribe. The image appeared to have originated in Switzerland.
The revelation comes as Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey prepares to travel to the South American country on an official visit on Sunday.
Relations between Bern and Bogota have been dominated by the fallout from the liberation of a group of hostages from Farc rebels last month and accusations against Swiss negotiator Jean-Pierre Gontard.
This inquiry against unknown parties was initiated in 2007, a spokesman for the Prosecutor’s Office confirmed in a Swiss television interview.
Despite reports that two Colombian nationals were implicated in the case, the Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement that it was not possible to give more detailed information on an investigation in progress.
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