Swiss approve extradition of key figure in German “cum-ex” tax fraud case
Hanno Berger is a defendant in a tax evasion court case in Wiesbaden, near Frankfurt, that opened in March 2021. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Keystone / Boris Roessler
The Swiss government has approved the extradition of Hanno Berger, a German lawyer sought in a major tax evasion case.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch/AP/DPA/sb
The Federal Office of Justice confirmed on Friday that it had issued an order on August 20 for the extradition of the German lawyer. The development was reported earlier by DPA news agency and Handelsblatt.
Berger, who was arrested in Switzerland last month, has been indicted in Germany on charges of tax evasion in connection with the so-called “cum-ex” scheme. The scandal is Germany’s biggest post-war fraud involving a share-trading scheme that the authorities say cost taxpayers billions of euros.
Berger is accused of promoting the scheme and helping investment bankers who swapped shares to collect multiple reimbursement for taxes they had only paid once.
He was arrested on July 7 in Switzerland, where he has been living in exile. Berger is a defendant in a court case in Wiesbaden, near Frankfurt, that opened in March.
The German lawyer has always denied any wrongdoing in conversations with Reuters and said what he did was within the law.
The extradition decision can be appealed to Switzerland’s Federal Criminal Tribunal within 30 days.
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Abroad
The Swiss Alps, a new Eldorado for real estate developers
Should Switzerland take measures to support its struggling industries?
Industrial policies are back in fashion, not only in the United States but also in the EU. Should Switzerland, where various industries are struggling, draw inspiration from such policies?
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
Swiss authorities file criminal complaint for false signatures
This content was published on
The case of allegedly forged signatures for popular initiatives in Switzerland continues: the Federal Chancellery has filed a criminal complaint for the third time.
Swiss government must prioritise transport projects
This content was published on
Following the no to motorway expansions and additional costs for future rail infrastructure, the Swiss government must set priorities for road and rail expansion.
SMI back above 12,500 points for first time since beginning of 2022
This content was published on
The leading SMI index rose by almost 1% at times in the morning and traded above 12,500 points for the first time since the beginning of 2022.
Markus Ritter enters race for seat in Swiss government
This content was published on
Markus Ritter from the Centre Party has thrown his hat into the ring to succeed Defence Minister Viola Amherd on the seven-seat Swiss government.
Lausanne hospital produces drug from faecal bacteria
This content was published on
The University Hospital of canton Vaud (Chuv) is the first Swiss hospital to receive approval for the production of such drugs from donor stool.
Increase in heat deaths set to outweigh decrease in cold deaths
This content was published on
The growing number of heat-related deaths due to climate change will significantly exceed the decline in the number of cold-related deaths in Europe, according to a study.
Every second Swiss buys from Chinese online retailers
This content was published on
Chinese online retailers are becoming increasingly popular in Switzerland. Every other person has already made such a purchase in the past year.
Another Swiss bank settles German tax evasion probe
This content was published on
The dispute centered around accounts held for German citizens who failed to declare taxes between 2004 and 2009. Schaffhausen in northern Switzerland borders Germany. In 2015 the bank also agreed to pay the United States $1.6 million to clear up a similar investigation. Since 2009 the bank says it has adopted a “white money” strategy…
Swiss court finds former banker guilty of selling client data
This content was published on
A former employee of the leading Swiss bank UBS has been sentenced to 40 months in jail for passing stolen bank data to the German authorities.
Swiss tax spy avoids jail time as Frankfurt trial ends
This content was published on
A Swiss man on trial in Frankfurt has been found guilty of spying on the tax authorities of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW).
Swiss help Germans with tax evasion raids at Sarasin
This content was published on
Numerous bankers and lawyers in the cantons Basel City, Basel Country, Graubünden, St Gallen, Schywz, Zurich and Zug received a visit from the police and public prosecutors. In an unusual act of cooperation with Germany over the thorny issue of Swiss banks helping German citizens evade taxes, the Zurich Public Prosecutor’s Office coordinated the raids,…
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.