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Swiss Banks Unfreeze $3.4 Billion in Sanctioned Russian Assets
Swiss Banks Unfreeze $3.4 Billion in Sanctioned Russian Assets
Sputnik International
Switzerland was among the western countries which decided to voluntarily seize funds belonging to Russian companies, business leaders and even the Central Bank... 13.05.2022, Sputnik International
2022-05-13T18:02+0000
2022-05-13T18:02+0000
2023-01-09T18:13+0000
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Bern has released nearly $3.4 billion in Russian assets over the last month, which had been frozen under new sanctions, a recent report from the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) indicates.After seizing a number of additional Russian accounts worth $2.2 billion, tallies show a net reduction of $1.17 billion in total frozen assets compared to April 7, demonstrating that close to $3.4 billion has been released over the same time period. Swiss banks are currently holding $6.33 of locked down Russian assets.Referring to these unblocked assets, SECO senior official Erwin Bollinger explained that some of the frozen accounts were liberated due to lack of evidence showing they belonged to a sanctioned entity.Switzerland faced pressure from other western countries that slapped sanctions on Russia following the start of the special military operation in Ukraine on 24 February. The country is considered one of the main holders of Russian business assets.Bern has strongly denied allegations that it allowed its secrecy laws to protect Russian money allegedly belonging to President Vladimir Putin’s allies. In a telephone call with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Swiss President Ignazio Cassis recently demanded that the US correct "this misleading impression immediately".Let's stay in touch no matter what! Follow our Telegram channel to get all the latest news: https://t.me/sputniknewsus
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europe, frozen funds, sanctions, switzerland
europe, frozen funds, sanctions, switzerland
Swiss Banks Unfreeze $3.4 Billion in Sanctioned Russian Assets
18:02 GMT 13.05.2022 (Updated: 18:13 GMT 09.01.2023) Switzerland was among the western countries which decided to voluntarily seize funds belonging to Russian companies, business leaders and even the Central Bank under the pretext of sanctions over Russian special military operation in Ukraine.
Bern has released nearly $3.4 billion in Russian assets over the last month, which had been
frozen under new sanctions, a recent report from the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) indicates.
After seizing a number of additional Russian accounts worth $2.2 billion, tallies show a net reduction of $1.17 billion in total frozen assets compared to April 7, demonstrating that close to $3.4 billion has been released over the same time period. Swiss banks are currently holding $6.33 of locked down Russian assets.
Referring to these unblocked assets, SECO senior official Erwin Bollinger explained that some of the frozen accounts were liberated due to lack of evidence showing they belonged to a sanctioned entity.
"We can't freeze funds if we do not have sufficient grounds […] The amount of assets frozen is not a measure of how effectively sanctions are being implemented", Bollinger said.
Switzerland faced
pressure from other western countries that slapped sanctions on Russia following the start of the special military operation in Ukraine on 24 February. The country is considered one of the main holders of Russian business assets.
Bern has strongly denied allegations that it allowed its secrecy laws to protect Russian money allegedly belonging to President Vladimir Putin’s allies. In a telephone call with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Swiss President Ignazio Cassis recently demanded that the US correct "this misleading impression immediately".
Let's stay in touch no matter what! Follow our Telegram channel to get all the latest news: https://t.me/sputniknewsus 
