The Guardian has reported tonight that:
The whistleblower who exposed wrongdoing at HSBC's Swiss private bank has been sentenced to five years in prison by a Swiss court.
Hervé Falciani, a former IT worker, was convicted in his absence for the biggest leak in banking history. He is currently living in France, where he sought refuge from Swiss justice, and did not attend the trial.
So none of the directors who facilitated tax evasion (whether wittingly or unwittingly we do not know because they have never been brought to trial) face prosecution for the massive abuses in their bank but the guy who did the right thing gets five years.
And you wonder why some of us think that law is biased in favour of the world's bankers and their richest clients?
This is a travesty of justice.
And in the process Switzerland proves just how rotten to the core it is.
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It seems that whistleblower’s may well be the first group on the list to fall foul of the flexible definition of terrorism.
Over in the USA the four whistleblower’s who revealed the official callousness and lack of concern over civilian deaths arising from US drone strikes have had their bank and credit card accounts frozen, apparently by executive action under anti terrorism legislation, despite having no criminal charges brought against them.
No wonder the headbangers want to do away with cash. Think of the level of control available over peoples lives and behaviours with the threat of being unable to pay bills, mortgages, rents, energy bills, buy food etc hanging over their heads from having their accounts frozen and blocked for dissident activity.
Hollande was right about one thing. There certainly is a war on. It’s just that the majority on side not only have yet to realise it they show no signs of doing so.
Dangerous, too.
For banks, because European whistleblowers won’t go to their local regulator: they’ll take it to tge Yanks, who have shown a willingness to hit foreign banks with billion-dollar fines.
…And it’s dangerous for all of us, because whistleblowers flag up criminal behaviour late – it is a last resort – and criminal stupidity can cost enough to need another taxpayer-funded bailout if you don’t catch it early.
Also: criminal stupidity can carry on for years, at massive undisclosed expense to the economy, like Libor rigging.
Try being a whistleblower in the NHS.
OK, they don’t get to receive free accommodation and meals, but they do get to find another job.
And let’s face it, being a whistleblower on the criminal proceeding of major banks was always going to be risky. At least the guy didn’t accidentally fall from a helicopter over the mountains [yet] (although I understand that prison is not all that safe)
He is still alive.
So celebrate that.
While it lasts.
As an aside: I note that Russia is now accusing, with evidence, that the Turkish fighters that shot down their bomber were patrolling the area and waiting for the bombers, after being informed by the US that the bombers were coming. They also quote that the F16s’ were guided to target by ground forces, terrorist forces.
As a result, they have now moved a missile battalion into the area, and a tank battalion as well. Coupled with nuclear-armed Russian naval forces already in the area, and more arriving, things are not looking good. All we need now is a Chinese presence…which we have in Iran…
Not an outrage really Richard .
The Swiss Trubunal was merely upholding Swiss law as current at the time .
lf you don t like the law get bthe Swuss to change it (?!)
Which actually they are in the process of doing to accomodate CRS in 2018 .
They could have simply decided in that case not to pursue this man
But they did
That was a positive choice, not an obligation
Your excuses ring hollow
@Ken Maggs. Then where is the law when it comes to a determination of the role and culpability of the directors who facilitated tax evasion?
Richard,
Not really a ‘true’ whistleblower as he never handed the information over for free. He did, in fact, sell the data to several governments. So, it the eyes of the law, this was theft, to make a profit. Did he give the funds he received to charity? Not that I know of. I do however, agree with your point that the real villans seem to have got away with most of it.
You should watch this Mike – http://lightworker29501.com/2015/08/13/cbs-news-investigative-journalist-explains-how-mainstream-media-brainwashes-the-masses/ it might be of interest to you.
The “evidence” against this guy by the Swiss smacked of the typical attacks on whistleblowers. Attack the whistle blower not the criminals in this case.
This activity was not limited to HSBC in Switzerland remember what they were alleged to have done in Mexico (I think it was) with bank counters with suitcase sized slots in them……
As usual the bankers get off scot-free. The same as Fred Godwin and his motley crew with “due diligence light” when RBS bought Ambro Bank…he kept his pension!