Switzerland has arrested its ambassador to Luxembourg, a veteran diplomat, as part of an inquiry into allegations that he laundered several hundreds of thousands of Swiss francs in private funds.
The Justice Ministry said today the man was arrested on Swiss soil on Monday after the Luxembourg authorities officially informed the Swiss about their suspicions earlier in the year.
Ambassador Mr Peter Friedrich (60) was initially held for questioning but his arrest was extended by the federal public prosecutor on Wednesday. Friedrich has been a diplomat since 1971 and was based in Luxembourg from December 1999.
Mr Hansjuerg Mark Wiedmer, spokesman for the public prosecutor, told journalists in Berne that Luxembourg first signalled possible wrongdoing in late February, following a tip-off from banks. A request for judicial cooperation followed on April 8th.
Mr Wiedmer said the alleged laundering was a private matter and did not affect the Swiss embassy. Mr Friedrich has also worked in Cuba and Vietnam.
