Billions Return Home: Kazakhstan and Switzerland Agree to Jointly Combat Asset Withdrawal

On November 5, Kazakhstan's Prosecutor General Berik Asylov visited Bern.

There, he met with Switzerland's Prosecutor General Stefan Blattler and Deputy Director of the Federal Office of Justice Lawrence Fontana Jungo, Orda.kz reports, citing the press service of Kazakshstan's Prosecutor General's Office.

The talks focused on strengthening cooperation in criminal cases and simplifying the return of illegally withdrawn assets.

Berik Asylov told his Swiss colleagues about the reforms in Kazakhstan at Qasym-Jomart Toqayev's initiative.

In 2023, the country adopted a law on asset recovery, after which a special committee was created under the Prosecutor General's Office and a fund that distributes the returned funds to important socio-economic projects.

Protecting foreign investors was an important topic of discussion. Asylov emphasized that Kazakhstan supports and protects foreign businesses, including Swiss ones, thereby contributing to the development of economic ties.

Switzerland, in turn, confirmed its readiness to help Kazakhstan return illegally withdrawn assets. 

Switzerland supported Kazakhstan's aspiration to join the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters.

The parties signed a memorandum of understanding. This will facilitate the exchange of information and evidence in criminal cases and speed up the process of asset recovery.

Earlier, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov reported to the President on the progress of the work to return assets to Kazakhstan.

Original Author: Alina Pak