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Sunday, February 26, 2023

Swiss fighters in Ukraine

SwissInfo reports here that the Swiss Military Justice System is investigating Swiss citizens who have gone to fight in Ukraine. Excerpt:

Seven proceedings are currently underway, a spokesman for the Office of the Attorney General told the Swiss News Agency Keystone-SDA on Thursday, confirming a report in newspaper BlickExternal link.

All seven proceedings were reportedly initiated after the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine a year ago. They concern the suspicion of performing foreign military service.

Under Swiss military criminal law, foreign service – such as being a mercenary – can be punished with a prison sentence of up to three years or a fine. However, it is uncertain whether the proceedings will ever be concluded. Investigations are very difficult in the case of a country at war, according to the military justice.

One wonders what the basis is for exercising military rather than civilian jurisdiction. Perhaps those being investigated are reservists in the Swiss Armed Forces?

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