The Duvalier accounts remain blocked while a draft law will be reviewed that could permit illicit assets to be confiscated
Bern, 3.2.2010 - In pursuing its policy to avoid allowing the Swiss financial centre to become a haven for illicitly acquired assets, the Federal Council has reached a decision to continue the freeze on the Duvalier assets on the basis of the Constitution. In view of the criminal origin of these funds, the Federal Council in this way avoids releasing the approximately USD 5.7 million for the benefit of the Duvalier clan, which the Federal Criminal Court deems to be a criminal organisation. At the same time, the Federal Council has instructed the FDFA to complete by the end of the month its work on drafting a federal law that would ultimately allow such assets to be confiscated, and to submit the draft law for consultation.