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Switzerland: Torture complaint filed against Bahraini Attorney General
15.09.2015 - (Last modified: 12.07.2017)
Berlin/London/Geneva, 15 September 2015 – Electric shocks, beatings on the soles of the feet, stress positions during incommunicado detention: those who allow this type of torture can and must be held criminally liable – even abroad. Bahrain-born British citizen Jaafar Al-Hasabi has submitted a criminal complaint to the prosecuting authorities in Berne (Switzerland) a...
Swiss decision to close Argor case encourages “head in the sand” attitude
02.06.2015 - (Last modified: 12.07.2017)
The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAGS) decided not to further prosecute the Swiss precious metals company Argor-Heraeus SA, that handled dirty African gold. While Swiss authorities acknowledged that Argor did refine looted gold and violated its duty of diligence, the case was nonetheless closed, a decision met with disbelief by the three NGOs working...
Confirmation of Erwin Sperisen’s conviction: a victory for the fight against impunity
12.05.2015 - (Last modified: 12.07.2017)
Geneva’s justice system has condemned Erwin Sperisen for 10 murders. The former Guatemalan Chief of Police was found guilty of extrajudicial murders and sentenced to life imprisonment. For the NGOs that denounced his actions, justice has now been done and this case will stand as an example in the continuing fight against impunity for State crimes.
On 12 May 2015...
Erwin Sperisen: Appeal trial from 4 to 8 May 2015
30.04.2015 - (Last modified: 12.07.2017)
Erwin Sperisen sentenced: NGOs welcome an important step in fighting impunity
06.06.2014 - (Last modified: 12.07.2017)
Nearly seven years ago, after a long-term effort, several NGOs denounced Erwin Sperisen to the Swiss authorities by stressing his responsibility in numerous and serious human rights violations. The Geneva Court rendered a significant judgment today, condemning the former Chief of Police of Guatemala to a life-sentence for 7 extrajudicial executions in 2006 in Guatemal...
Sperisen case: trial soon to start
11.04.2014 - (Last modified: 12.07.2017)
Argor case: UK Authorities Called to Act following Swiss Ruling
05.02.2014 - (Last modified: 12.07.2017)
Argor case: Important decision of the Federal Criminal Court
03.02.2014 - (Last modified: 12.07.2017)
The Swiss Federal Criminal Court (FCC) rendered a decision on the Argor case on January 24, 2014. It reveals that a search was conducted on the premises of the Swiss refining company on November 4, 2013, following the opening of proceedings on alleged aggravated money laundry and complicity in the looting of raw materials. Documentation and computers were seized on th...
Stop Pillage: TRIAL welcomes the opening of an investigation
05.11.2013 - (Last modified: 13.07.2017)
Stop Pillage: TRIAL denounces gold looting by a Swiss refinery company
04.11.2013 - (Last modified: 13.07.2017)No immunity for Algerian former defence Minister
31.07.2013 - (Last modified: 13.07.2017)
Geneva, 31 July 2012
The Federal Criminal Court (FCC) released today a landmark decision in the case of Khaled Nezzar, an Algerian former defence minister denounced by TRIAL for war crimes. The FCC found that Mr. Nezzar cannot claim immunity for acts committed during his tenure, thus paving the way for a trial in Switzerland. The present decision opens up signifi...