Swiss Delay Lifting Secrecy on Accounts
BERN, Switzerland — The United States has asked Switzerland to lift secrecy rules on two bank accounts alleged to have been used for the proceeds of controversial arms sales to Iran, but the Swiss government needs more details before it can comply, a government spokesman said Monday.
Swiss government sources said both accounts are at branches of Switzerland’s second-largest bank, Credit Suisse.
Justice Ministry spokesman Joerg Kistler said he expects that the required information will be provided in the near future.
Swiss banking secrecy laws may be waived in criminal inquiries only if purported offenses are punishable under the penal codes of both countries.
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