Chronology: Switzerland

In its First Order judgment the Court in Palermo sentenced Palazzolo to 12 years imprisonment for crimes under articles 71 and 74, which came under their jurisdiction. However, the Court acknowledged that the facts were identical to the Swiss ones already judged. On 22/7/03  the Appeal Court in Palermo acquitted Mr. Palazzolo, declaring that they could [...]

First agreement between Italy and Switzerland on matters of judicial assistance in criminal matters. This was ratified on 5 October 2001 and came into effect on the 1 June 2003

8 years after issuing it’s warrant of arrest against Palazzolo the Court in Rome, in absentia, sentenced him to two years imprisonment and a fine for his role in the Swiss case (article 75 of Law 685/1975 for financing of drug trafficking). This was possible, legally, because there was no convention in existence between Switzerland [...]

Authored by Paolo Bernasconi, the presiding judge in the case against Palazzolo et al, the anti money laundering law in Switzerland became effective on this day.

The Criminal Court of the Canton of Ticino handed down a sentence of three years imprisonment against Palazzolo, for the aggravated violation of the Federal Law on narcotics. There was no money laundering law then in Switzerland, whose banking was founded on absolute discretion and secrecy. So, under extreme pressure from the US authorities, they [...]

They examined Waridel1 who testified about meetings and financial transactions and his dealings with Musullulu, the morphine base supplier in Turkey. The Americans gave Waridel immunity in return for which he became a State witness.

On this day the Swiss denied the US extradition of Palazzolo, for the same reasons they denied the Italian one. Moreover, he would stand trial in the country where the alleged crime occurred.

The Italians were denied their extradition demand because Palazzolo was already being tried in Switzerland, for the same facts.

The AG in Switzerland reached the conclusion that no crime had been committed. So the investigation was closed with a Nulle Prosequi. Which is when they produced Paul Eduard Waridel, a half Turkish, half Swiss citizen, later identified as the Mastermind behind the Pizza Connection. A couple of years previously they had bailed him out [...]