INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Switzerland's government announced Wednesday that confiscating private Russian assets in the country to help rebuild Ukraine would be
contrary to Swiss law.Traditionally neutral Switzerland decided four days after Russiainvaded a year ago to align itself with European Union
to help rebuild Ukraine, Switzerland's Federal Council, as the government is known, had asked a justice department working group to clarify
the legality of such a move.The group concluded that "the expropriation of private assets of lawful origin without compensation is not
permissible under Swiss law," a government statement said."The confiscation of frozen private assets is inconsistent with the Federal
Constitution and the prevailing legal order and violates Switzerland's international commitments."The government said it had taken note of
engaged in other international discussions, including on the potential confiscation of Russia's Central Bank currency reserves and other
state assets."The introduction of tougher criminal penalties for violating sanctions is also being examined," it said.Several initiatives
are underway in parliament towards relaxing the re-export rules to make it possible for Swiss war materiel to be transferred via third
countries to Ukraine, though any decision is still likely months away.
