Facts
The Public Prosecutor's Office III of the Canton of Zurich is conducting criminal proceedings against the German national X., who is alleged to have committed commercial investment fraud in Switzerland and abroad in 2002 with other perpetrators, in the amount of at least 18.5 million euros. X. was able to evade arrest in 2002 by fleeing, until he was arrested on August 9, 2006 in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic). On August 18, 2006, three officers of the Cantonal Police of Zurich took over X. in Santo Domingo and brought him to Switzerland.
Considerations
The Federal Supreme Court concluded that the extradition of X. from the Dominican Republic to Switzerland cannot be classified as an unlawful abduction under international law. The Swiss authorities have always respected the sovereignty of the Dominican Republic and have not used force, deception, threats or any other unlawful means to bring X. under their control. The Dominican authorities had expelled X. due to lack of residence documents, and the Swiss authorities acted in consultation with them, without ever deceiving them. Therefore, there is no procedural obstacle that would justify the release of X. from custody.
The Federal Supreme Court dismissed X.'s appeal against the continuation of his pre-trial detention. It emphasized that criminal liability may only be…