Fact Check: "The Federal Administrative Court of Switzerland dismissed appeals against account freezes in 2024, confirming that the requirements for blocking were met."
What We Know
In 2024, the Federal Administrative Court of Switzerland dismissed multiple appeals regarding the freezing of bank accounts linked to individuals associated with former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. These account freezes were originally ordered by the Federal Council in response to concerns about illicitly acquired assets belonging to politically exposed persons from Ukraine. The court confirmed that the legal requirements for these account freezes were indeed met, particularly noting that the Ukrainian authorities were unable to fulfill the necessary conditions for mutual legal assistance in criminal matters (Swiss court rejects appeal to release funds linked to former ..., Federal Supreme Court: Account freezes on Ukraine ...).
Analysis
The dismissal of the appeals by the Federal Administrative Court is significant as it reinforces the Swiss government's stance on maintaining sanctions against individuals tied to the Yanukovych regime. The court's decisions were based on the Federal Act on the Freezing and Restitution of Illicit Assets of Foreign Politically Exposed Persons (FIAA), which provides a legal framework for such actions. This law allows for the freezing of assets pending a decision on their confiscation, thereby preventing any withdrawal of funds until the legal proceedings are resolved (Swiss Court Rejects Appeal To Release Funds Linked To ...).
The reliability of the sources reporting on this matter is high, as they include established news organizations and legal commentary platforms that specialize in Swiss law and international relations. The information is corroborated across multiple outlets, indicating a consensus on the court's ruling and the underlying legal principles (Federal Supreme Court: Account freezes on Ukraine ..., Swiss court rejects appeal to release funds linked to former ...).
Conclusion
The claim that "The Federal Administrative Court of Switzerland dismissed appeals against account freezes in 2024, confirming that the requirements for blocking were met" is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that the court upheld the account freezes, citing compliance with legal requirements and the inability of Ukrainian authorities to meet the necessary conditions for mutual legal assistance.
