The Federal Council decided to freeze with immediate effect for a duration of three years any assets that might in Switzerland belonging to, or controlled by, former Tunisian President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali and his associates (click here for the press release). Click here for the text of the 19 January 2011 order (in French), together with the list of more than 40 persons and entities targeted by the freeze order, which was amended on 4 February 2011 (here – in French). The order is based on Article 184.3 of the Swiss Constitution, on international relations, according to which “Where safeguarding the interests of the country so requires, the Federal Council may issue ordinances and rulings. Ordinances must be of limited duration”. Click here for the webpage of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs on the Freezing of Assets in Switzerland at the behest of the Federal Council. Visit our Resources and Publications pages for material on the same topics: ||Switzerland||, Tunisia, Corruption, Forfeiture, Ben Ali Case. (from FraudNet member for ||Switzerland|| ||Yves Klein||, of ||Monfrini Crettol & Associes, Geneva||).