Fact Check: "The Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland rejected three appeals to release assets linked to former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on July 26, 2024."
What We Know
On July 26, 2024, the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland indeed rejected three appeals concerning the release of assets associated with former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. The court's decision was based on the ongoing asset freezes imposed by the Swiss Federal Council, which were enacted to prevent the withdrawal of funds linked to individuals deemed politically exposed due to their connections with Yanukovych's regime (Swiss court rejects appeal to release funds linked to former ...). The court concluded that the requirements for maintaining these asset freezes were met, particularly citing concerns about the Ukrainian authorities' ability to fulfill mutual legal assistance requirements in criminal matters (Swiss Court Rejects Appeal To Release Funds Linked To ...).
Analysis
The claim that the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland rejected appeals regarding Yanukovych's assets is supported by multiple credible sources. The Swissinfo article provides a clear account of the court's ruling, emphasizing that the asset freezes will remain in effect until a final decision regarding their confiscation is made. This aligns with the Swiss Federal Council's earlier decisions to block assets linked to Yanukovych, which were based on laws regulating illicitly acquired assets of foreign politically exposed persons.
Additionally, the Mezha report corroborates this information, confirming that the Swiss Federal Supreme Court's ruling was final and that the appeals were dismissed due to the fulfillment of legal requirements for asset blocking. The Bluewin article further supports this by detailing the court's dismissal of the appeals, reinforcing the legitimacy of the court's actions.
The sources used in this analysis are reliable, as they originate from established news organizations and official statements from the Swiss government. They provide a consistent narrative regarding the court's decision and the legal context surrounding the asset freezes.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland rejected three appeals to release assets linked to former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on July 26, 2024, is accurate. The court's decision was based on legal frameworks aimed at preventing the withdrawal of illicitly acquired assets, and the ruling has been consistently reported across multiple credible sources.
