American Billionaire Pressures Switzerland on Russia Sanctions: Bill Browder wants to keep up the pressure on Switzerland over sanctions on Russia. The Swiss judiciary in the Magnitsky case is a disgrace, and the country must… billbrowder Magnitski
American-British billionaire and former investor in Russia Bill Browder launched a renewed verbal attack against Switzerland and its judiciary in particular. In an interview with the newspapers of the publishing house «CH Media» , he said that Switzerland isn't as reliable as other US allies.He pointed out that only 7.5 billion francs in Russian assets were frozen in Switzerland as a result of sanctions imposed in the wake of the Ukraine war.
Since 2021, Browder has been fighting against what he says was a deprivation of his status as an aggrieved party and private plaintiff by the Federal Prosecutor's Office in the tug-of-war with Russia over expropriation and alleged tax fraud after ten years. A final decision from the Federal Supreme Court in Lausanne is expected soon.Browder and his investment fund Hermitage Capital were major investors in Russian companies at the beginning of the noughties.
As a result of the Magnitski affair, $18 million in funds belonging to three Russian citizens were frozen in Switzerland. Of this amount, $14 million are to be unfrozen following the closure of the investigation.Browder says the situation is a disgrace for Switzerland, and when it comes to isolating Russia from the rest of the world, Switzerland is part of the problem, rather than part of the solution.
In the US a few weeks ago, the Congressional Helsinki Commission, at Bowder's instigation, recommended three representatives of Swiss law enforcement agencies at the time be placed on the American sanctions list. They are former federal prosecutor Michael Lauber, former federal prosecutor Patrick Lamon and an employee of the Fedpol federal police who are accused of accepting bribes and obstructing the proceedings.
«Switzerland wants to return funds to Russian criminals. It's a crystal clear example that Switzerland hasn't changed,» says Browden and expects Switzerland to impose independent sanctions.