Switzerland Adopts EU's Recent Russia Sanctions, Probing Sanctions Violators

Switzerland on Oct. 17 adopted most of the measures outlined in the EU's 14th sanctions package on Russia (see 2406240024), including expanded export controls, bans on the use of specialized financial messaging services, sanctions on vessels that are part of Russia's "dark fleet," and more.

The country also imposed various sanctions on liquefied natural gas and introduced legislation allowing the nation to sue sanctioned companies in Swiss courts to recover damages that Swiss companies have incurred "as a result of arbitrary proceedings in Russia or third countries." The council added it's investigating various cases "in which Swiss companies are suspected of violating sanctions through their subsidiaries abroad."