They did not want to fight for Vladimir Putin in his war against Ukraine: Russian smugglers transported at least 250 to 300 Chechens to France in minibuses. Thanks to the help of the Swiss authorities, the gang was unmasked.
Criminals are said to have smuggled several Russian citizens through Switzerland.Image: keystone
Kari Kälin / ch media
On May 28, French police arrested eleven people in Reims and surrounding towns, nine of whom were placed in pretrial detention. Prosecutors accuse these Russian nationals of Chechen origin of organizing the transport of at least 250 to 300 Chechens across Europe to France, using minibuses at a cost of several thousand euros per person.
In France, these migrants have been granted asylum. As an investigator explained to the newspaper Le Figarothey were trying to escape a military mobilization to go and fight in Ukraine. They were fleeing the dictatorial duo of Vladimir Putin and Ramzan Kadyrov, president of the Republic of Chechnya.
French authorities have been investigating the case since June last year. In a press release, public prosecutor Carole Etienne welcomed international cooperation, particularly with Switzerland.
It now appears that the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland is conducting its own criminal proceedings against five members of the alleged Russian smuggling gang – because they allegedly smuggled several Russian citizens through Switzerland and then France. When questioned, the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland said that “the cooperation between the two countries was very close and constructive and took place within the framework of a joint investigation group specially set up for this purpose.”
Telephone conversations bugged
Information on the smuggling network was provided by, among others, the Federal Office of Customs and Border Security, the cantonal police and Europol. The Federal Office of Police (Fedpol) conducted investigations in close cooperation with several cantons. The suspects have valid residence permits in France.
According to French media, Germany and Slovenia were also involved in the investigation. Thanks to extensive surveillance and wiretapping, it was possible to identify the alleged leaders of the gang. The smugglers are also accused of money laundering and violations of the weapons law.
The hot news on the Russian war against Ukraine is here
Translated and adapted by Noëline Flippe
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