Switzerland blocks millions of Mubarak assets
By SwissInfo
The foreign ministry says Switzerland has blocked assets worth several tens of millions of francs of the former Egyptian leader, Hosni Mubarak, and members of his clan.
Details of the assets were released on Friday to the Swiss News Agency by ministry spokesman Adrian Sollberger, who was unable to give a precise figure.
However, he said a number of financial intermediaries had approached the Swiss authorities with information.
On Friday last week, Bern decided to freeze any assets in Switzerland of the former Mubarak and parties close to him to avoid any misappropriation of Egyptian government funds.
In addition, the sale or disposal of any assets, in particular real estate, in the name of 12 persons was forbidden.
According to the Swiss National Bank, Egyptian assets in the country’s banks totalled SFr3.6 billion ($3.8 bilion) at the end of 2009.
On Wednesday this week the new rulers in Egypt submitted a request to Switzerland for legal assistance.
Switzerland has now updated its safety advice for Egypt. The ministry said on Thursday that Red Sea resorts could be visited but that “precaution measures” should be taken. Travel restrictions remain for the rest of the country.
