Prosecutor calls for maximum fine for Credit Suisse
The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland has demanded Credit Suisse be fined CHF5 million ($5.4 million) – the maximum provided for by law – for aggravated money laundering and subsidiary support of a criminal organisation.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/ts
Switzerland’s second-largest bank is a defendant in a trial, which began on February 7, involving millions of euros that were allegedly laundered through its coffers by Bulgarian drug trafficker Evelin Banev.
On Wednesday prosecutor Alice de Chambrier denounced the bank’s organisational shortcomings in the fight against money laundering. All the protective walls – the client advisor, her superiors and the risk department – had failed, she said.
Since there were no mitigating circumstances, de Chambrier called for the maximum fine of CHF5 million. If found guilty, the bank may also have to settle two compensation claims: CHF34 million for the money that escaped justice and CHF7 million of illicitly earned profits.
Last week a former Credit Suisse banker told the court that the bank had dismissed her concerns about murders allegedly linked to Banev.
More
More
Credit Suisse accused of ignoring murders allegedly linked to Bulgarian druglord
This content was published on
A banker on trial in Switzerland has alleged that the bank dismissed her concerns about murders allegedly linked to cocaine trafficker Evelin Banev.
Prosecutors state that the drug ring washed CHF146 million through Credit Suisse, including large sums of cash in suitcases, between 2004 and 2008.
Two alleged members of the cocaine-smuggling ring and two former bankers, from Credit Suisse and Julius Bär, will appear in the dock.
Last December Falcon private bank, the Swiss entity of an Abu Dhabi-controlled financial group, was found guilty of money-laundering offences and fined by a Swiss court. But Credit Suisse is the first major Swiss-controlled bank to appear in a money-laundering trial in the country, according to Swiss public broadcaster, SRF.
“Credit Suisse unreservedly rejects as meritless all allegations in this legacy matter raised against it and is convinced that its former employee is innocent,” the bank said in a statement to Reuters at the beginning of the trial.
More
More
Swiss bank faces money-laundering trial over Bulgarian drug funds
This content was published on
Credit Suisse “first major Swiss bank” to be tried for money laundering as part of Bulgarian drug ring court case.
Swiss price watchdog slams excessive prices for generic medicines
This content was published on
The cheapest generic medicines available in Switzerland are more than twice as expensive as in other countries, according to a study by the Swiss price watchdog.
Nature should not figure in net zero calculations: academic study
This content was published on
The natural removal of CO2 from the atmosphere by forests or oceans should not be included in the net-zero balance of climate protection measures, argue researchers.
This content was published on
None of the 15 major Swiss retail banks is meeting international climate and biodiversity targets, according to a ranking by WWF Switzerland.
This content was published on
Nestlé's new CEO Laurent Freixe, has presented plans for the future of the world's largest food company, after his first few weeks in office.
Swiss foreign minister calls on Moscow to end Ukraine war
This content was published on
It's high time Moscow ended its war against Ukraine, Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis tells the UN Security Council.
This content was published on
The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
This content was published on
Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
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.
Read more
More
Vast leak alleges Credit Suisse accounts held by corrupt officials and criminals
This content was published on
A global investigation by media outlets has uncovered dozens of accounts at Credit Suisse allegedly held by corrupt officials and criminals.
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.