Swiss Attorney General meets the Angolan Attorney General
Bern, 13.07.2018 - At an official working meeting on 12.07.2018, the Angolan Attorney General, Hélder Fernando Pitta Gróz, and the Attorney General of Switzerland, Michael Lauber, discussed cooperation between the two law enforcement authorities. They also held talks on operational issues related to ongoing criminal proceedings.
At their meeting on 12 July 2018 in Bern, the Angolan Attorney General, Hélder Fernando Pitta Gróz, and the Attorney General of Switzerland, Michael Lauber, discussed their respective legal systems, law enforcement procedures and cooperation through mutual legal assistance. Attorney General Lauber stressed the value of coordinated action between law enforcement authorities in the fight against international corruption.
The delegations from the two countries also discussed operational issues, addressing in particular questions relating to ongoing criminal proceedings and requests for mutual assistance. There can be greater mutual support when each country has a better understanding of the prosecution procedures specific to the other, particularly with regard to the legal principles by which money laundering proceedings are conducted in Switzerland. For example, in such cases there must be a legally sufficient predicate offence.
Discussions also focused on the criminal proceedings which the OAG opened at the end of April against persons unknown on suspicion of money laundering (Art. 305bis Criminal Code SCC) in connection with possible offences involving assets held by the Angolan National Bank (BNA) and the Angolan sovereign wealth fund, the Fundo Soberano de Angola. In these proceedings, which are still ongoing, the OAG initially froze around USD 210 million of assets. The OAG has already unfrozen USD 60 million held by the Angolan sovereign wealth fund. The funds were unfrozen because their use by unauthorised third parties could be ruled out.
The meeting in Switzerland underlines the willingness of both countries to work together closely to combat international corruption.
Address for enquiries
Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland, Communications Service; +41 58 464 32 40; info@ba.admin.ch
Publisher
Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland
http://www.ba.admin.ch/
