Kazakhstan, Switzerland sign memorandum on mutual assistance in criminal matters and asset recovery
Kazakhstan's Prosecutor General Berik Assylov met with the Attorney General of Switzerland Stefan Blättler, and Vice-Director of the Federal Office of Justice of Switzerland Fontana Jungo on November 5, 2024 in Bern.
The negotiations centred on the issues of legal cooperation and the return of assets withdrawn from Kazakhstan. As a result of the visit, a memorandum of understanding on criminal cases was signed, El.kz reports with reference to the Prosecutor General's Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
During the meeting, Assylov spoke about the reforms initiated by President Tokayev in Kazakhstan, including the Law on the Return of Illegally Withdrawn Assets adopted in July 2023. A special committee created under the Prosecutor General's Office is engaged in the distribution of returned funds for socio-economic projects aimed at improving the well-being of the people and restoring justice. Since 2022, more than $3.5 billion has been returned to the country.
The Swiss side expressed its readiness to assist Kazakhstan in the return of illegal assets and supported the republic's desire to join the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters. The Memorandum provides for the acceleration and simplification of procedures for the exchange of evidence and information in criminal cases, which, according to the Swiss Attorney General, will be an important step in the joint fight against financial crimes and strengthen economic cooperation between the countries.
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