Eurozapping: Swiss Company Accused of Bypassing Russian Sanctions

Swiss company Open Mineral is accused of repatriating €40 million worth of Russian gold, bypassing sanctions by using a subsidiary in the United Arab Emirates. NGOs have denounced the move, calling it a clear violation of sanctions. “For us, it’s clearly a circumvention of sanctions,” says Robert Bachmann, financial analyst at the NGO Public Eye. However, for the Swiss government, sanctions do not apply to foreign subsidiaries.

In the UK, the deputy prime minister is in hot water. Dominic Raab is accused of harassment. Eight complaints, involving at least 24 people, were detailed in an independent report handed to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Thursday, April 20. Sunak had chosen Raab even though his conduct had been criticized in parliament. Sunak may be forced to part with a pillar of his government due to this embarrassing matter.

In Italy, a freight train overturned on a track after taking down several pylons near Florence. No casualties were reported, but this privately-owned food convoy has cut Italy in half. Thousands of passengers had to wait for hours, and many trains were also canceled. The GTS company clarified that they were not responsible for the maintenance of the wagons.

These are the stories making headlines across Europe on Thursday, April 20.