The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) says the taskforce will collect evidence from refugees arriving in Switzerland to pass on to the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
United States President Joe Biden has labelled Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal, while several international bodies say there is growing evidence of war crimes being carried out by Russian forces.
The OAG unit is also ready to detect and prosecute war crimes committed by Swiss citizens and to help the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs deal with sanctions violations.
The OAG said on Tuesday that it is “ready to act swiftly and efficiently whenever it is necessary”.
Attorney General Stefan Blättler will take charge of the taskforce that is made up of various department heads and specialist prosecutors.
Part of the mandate is to “ensure that the ongoing flow of information with national and international partners is strengthened”.
The OAG is yet to open any criminal investigations in relation to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Requests for legal assistance between Switzerland and Russia have been put on ice until the justice ministry provides new guidance. Switzerland has also suspended sending requests for legal assistance to Ukraine.
Dubious record
Switzerland’s previous Attorney General, Michael Lauber, was widely criticised, along with other members of his department, for being too soft on Russia.
Hardly any interest earned on savings accounts in Switzerland
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Interest rates on savings accounts in Switzerland have fallen significantly. The brief high in savings interest rates is over, according to a study by online comparison service Moneyland.
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A group of around 25 men in uniforms of the Wehrmacht – the army of Nazi Germany – crossed the Wildhorn massif on Saturday and were questioned by Bern cantonal police.
Switzerland named hotspot for fox tapeworm disease
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Diseases caused by the fox tapeworm are on the rise in Europe. Alveolar hydatid disease (AHD) caused by the parasite is rare, but the number of cases is increasing.
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The earth shook near Mürren in the Bernese Oberland on Monday afternoon with a magnitude of around 4.2 on the Richter scale.
Public transport in Geneva faces calls for overhaul
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Public transport services in Greater Geneva must better meet needs. The associations Transports et environnement (ATE) and Rail Dauphiné Savoie Léman (ARDSL) have drawn up a review of the situation, calling in particular for the Leman Express timetable to be extended.
Swiss politician who shot at baby Jesus risks fine
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The Zurich public prosecutor's office has brought charges against Zurich city parliamentarian Sanija Ameti for disturbing religious freedom. Ameti had shot at a picture of Jesus and Mary with an air pistol.
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The French-Swiss artist Saype has created a new giant painting on the summit of the Grand Chamossaire above Villars-sur-Ollon VD. The 2500 square metre work depicts a boy with a rucksack on his shoulders.
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According to "Schweizer Illustrierte", Swiss actor Carlos Leal is returning to Switzerland - after 15 years in Los Angeles. "It's become loud there, megalomaniacal and arrogant," he said in the online edition of the magazine.
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A coin collector has filed a criminal complaint with the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland against Swissmint, the federal mint, for fraud in connection with the sale of the limited-edition 100-franc gold Vreneli.
Switzerland drops Russia graft probe triggered by Magnitsky case
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Swiss prosecutors have dropped a probe into alleged Russian graft in a case that has been linked to the death of Sergei Magnitsky.
Swiss federal official guilty of accepting benefits on bear hunt
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Switzerland’s Federal Criminal Court has found a former Russia specialist guilty of accepting benefits during a bear hunting trip to Russia.
Switzerland will adopt fourth EU sanctions package against Russia
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The Swiss government has announced it will implement the European Union’s latest round of sanctions that includes a ban on the export of luxury goods to Russia.
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