Swiss prosecutors struggle against a ticking clock in white-collar crime

The systemic weakness centers on pre-digital rules that permit defendants to seal evidence and contest information sharing with foreign authorities. While investigators pore over terabytes of data, the clock on legal deadlines continues to run. This dynamic recently forced the closure of a money-laundering case against a former Credit Suisse compliance chief and the discontinuation of proceedings against Gulnara Karimova, the daughter of Uzbekistan's late president. In one instance involving J. Safra Sarasin and the Petrobras graft scandal, critical evidence remained under seal for five years before a resolution was reached.

Although Blaettler has secured convictions against commodity traders like Trafigura and Gunvor, he labels the current procedural environment untenable. Data shows that in roughly 90% of cases where defendants successfully file sealing requests, judicial review eventually sides with the prosecution, confirming the delays are often purely tactical. While the Swiss government is currently exploring closer cooperation with the European Union to expedite the seizure of digital evidence, legislative progress remains stalled. Lawmakers, wary of damaging the country's competitive edge in global wealth management, have repeatedly watered down reform proposals. Advocacy groups like Public Eye argue that a right-of-center parliamentary majority continues to resist tools that would effectively curb white-collar criminality. As Transparency International notes, despite the end of traditional banking secrecy, only a fraction of illicit activity in the sector ever reaches the courtroom.