If it was up to him, Switzerland would join the international task force to track down Russian oligarch funds, the 57-year-old lawyer said in an interview published online on Sunday evening. He did not provide any further information. In the spring, the ambassadors of the seven most important Western industrialized countries called on the Swiss state government to cooperate more in the search for oligarch funds.
Since Friday, Lauber himself has been confronted by a US government commission with allegations of closeness to Russia during his term of office and with threats of sanctions. The so-called Helsinki Commission of the US government accuses him and two other Swiss people of having helped Russians who were sanctioned at the time to get hold of funds frozen in Switzerland. They are also said to have received gifts and trips from Russian officials and oligarchs.
«Scapegoat for everything possible»
Lauber again denied the allegations in the interview, after he had already rejected them via his lawyer on Saturday. The Commission is concerned with the implementation of the current economic sanctions against Russia, said Lauber. “The resentment against Switzerland is now unloading on me. As a federal prosecutor, I’m the scapegoat for everything.” In the event of sanctions, Lauber could be banned from entering the United States.
If he were really put on the sanctions list, he would have to reorient himself professionally, said Lauber. Because of the allegations, it is difficult for him to continue his current job. He has had engagements with the US and Canadian governments to provide financial integrity advice.
Lauber wants to contact the US ambassador
“I immediately offered my resignation. Just the appearance that I could be corrupt makes me unbearable, »said Lauber. According to his own words, he wants to contact the US Ambassador to Switzerland, Scott Miller, to be heard.
Michael Lauber was Switzerland’s Attorney General from 2012 to the end of August 2020. He was heavily criticized for his conduct in proceedings against football officials. The Federal Administrative Court reprimanded meetings with Fifa President Gianni Infantino that were not recorded. The Parliament’s Judiciary Commission initiated impeachment proceedings. Lauber then resigned. Criminal proceedings were recently pending.
2023-07-30 19:17:29
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