Switzerland’s separation of power called into question
In a damning report in April 2018, the United Nations denounced political interference in two high-profile cases in Switzerland, both brought before the authorities by TRIAL International. The experts pointed to unexplainable delays in the investigations against Rifaat al-Assad and Khaled Nezzar due to “an apparent lack of political will”.
Read more: Is Switzerland becoming a safe haven for criminals?
In the end, the case against former Algerian Minister Khaled Nezzar was saved from closure by the same Federal Criminal Court (FCC). In June 2018, it overturned a decision made by the Office of the Attorney General alleging that there had been no armed conflict in Algeria in the 1990s. As a result, investigations resumed but have suffered months of delays pending the FCC’s ruling.
Read more: Swiss court orders resumption of war crimes investigation