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Anti-Russian sanctions

Swiss parliament lifts ban on giving legal counsel to Russian businesses

In the meantime, the ban on Swiss lawyers defending Russian businesses in court remains in place

GENEVA, December 19. /TASS/. The National Council of Switzerland (the larger house of the Swiss legislature) voted on Wednesday to cancel the ban on providing legal advice to Russian businesses introduced as part of anti-Russian sanctions, the Keystone-SDA news agency said.

According to the news outlet, 110 members voted to abolish the ban, with 71 against and 12 abstaining. The Council of States (the lower house) backed this proposal in September. Both houses of the parliament concur that the current sanctions regime against Russia in the sphere of legal services "is unjustified and violates certain fundamental rights," including the right to take part in legal proceedings. In the meantime, the ban on Swiss lawyers defending Russian businesses in court remains in place, Keystone-SDA said.

Switzerland supports EU sanctions against Russia introduced in connection with Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine. The Russian government included Switzerland into the list of unfriendly countries.

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Sanctions vs. Russia

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