Swiss prosecutors said Friday they have received criminal complaints in connection with Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s trip to the Swiss ski resort of Davos for the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting.
Quick Read
- Criminal Complaints in Switzerland: Swiss prosecutors have received criminal complaints related to Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Davos for the World Economic Forum.
- Nature of Complaints Unclear: Details of the complaints and the identities of the complainants have not been disclosed. The complaints were filed by external organizations, which were not specified.
- Examination of Complaints: The Attorney General’s office stated that these complaints would be examined as part of the standard procedure for such cases.
- Issue of Immunity: Prosecutors are consulting with the Swiss Foreign Ministry to assess the immunity status of Herzog, noting that this does not constitute official criminal proceedings.
- Context of the Complaints: The complaints follow a case filed by South Africa at the International Court of Justice against Israel over its actions in Gaza following the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7.
- Herzog’s Participation at Davos: During the World Economic Forum, Herzog discussed various issues, including the situation of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
- Legal Perspective on the Complaints: According to Philip Grant of Trial International, under international law, a state cannot exercise jurisdiction over a sitting head of state from another country, implying that legal action against Herzog is unlikely.
- Potential for Future Legal Actions: Grant predicts an increase in similar filings in the future, either in Switzerland or in other countries.
The Associates Press has the story:
Swiss prosecutors receive criminal complaints over Israeli President trip to Davos amid Gaza war
Newslooks- ZURICH, Switzerland — (AP)
Swiss prosecutors said Friday they have received criminal complaints in connection with Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s trip to the Swiss ski resort of Davos for the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting.
The office of the Attorney General said the complaints would be examined as part of the regular course of such complaints filed by outside organizations, which were not identified. It did not provide details or identify the complainants.
Prosecutors are in touch with the Swiss Foreign Ministry to “examine the question of the immunity of the person concerned,” the office said in a statement, stressing such requests did not amount to official criminal proceedings.
The complaints come in the wake of a case filed by South Africa at the International Court of Justice against Israel over its military campaign in Gaza after Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7.
Herzog was among the high-profile guests at the annual meeting of political and business leaders and others in Davos, where he stressed the plight of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, among other things.
Philip Grant, executive director of Geneva-based legal advocacy group Trial International, said he didn’t know the group reportedly behind the complaints, but said anyone in Switzerland can make such a “denunciation” to state prosecutors.
“That doesn’t meant that prosecutors are necessarily going to take legal action,” he said by phone.
Grant said under international law, one state cannot exercise its jurisdiction over a sitting head of state of a foreign country, and as such said the case is “not going to go far.”
“There will certainly be a multiplication of this type of filings in the future,” whether in Switzerland or elsewhere, he said.
