Russian Diplomat Detained in Switzerland Weeks Before Summit on Peace for Ukraine Over Firearm Purchase Attempt

A Russian diplomat was arrested in Switzerland a few weeks before the Summit on Peace for Ukraine for attempting to purchase firearms.

According to the Tages-Anzeiger newspaper, citing a statement from the Swiss Federal Prosecutor's Office, the employee of the Russian embassy in Bern tried to obtain weapons and dangerous substances in several places in Switzerland.

The Federal Prosecutor's Office stated that several house searches were conducted as part of the "initial security measures" jointly with the cantonal police. The Russian diplomat himself has so-called "immunity", which protects diplomats and certain embassy staff from being subjected to criminal prosecution or civil lawsuits in the host country.

The suspected Russian diplomat was being monitored by the Swiss intelligence service, and later the case was taken over by the law enforcement agencies.

The Federal Prosecutor's Office has asked to lift the diplomat's immunity, but in order to conduct the investigation, the agency must be authorized by the Federal Council.

The newspaper notes that the decision-making powers now belong to Swiss Justice Minister Beat Jans, but it is not excluded that the entire Swiss government will be involved in this.

Summit on Peace for Ukraine, that took place on June 15-16, 2024 at the Bürgenstock resort in Switzerland convened over 100 global delegations. It’s been previously reported that Russia was aiming to undermine the summit and sabotage the event worldwide.