Switzerland Opens Nuclear Investigation

AP ^ | 10/13/04 | BALZ BRUPPACHER

[TexKat]

BERN, Switzerland - Prosecutors on Wednesday opened an investigation into two Swiss citizens suspected of illegally exporting nuclear-bomb-making technology to Libya, a spokesman for the prosecutors office said.

The spokesman, Hansjuerg Mark Wiedmer, declined to identify the suspects. But one investigative source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said one was Swiss engineer Urs Tinner, who was arrested in Germany last week.

The Swiss agency that polices adherence to international sanctions disclosed in February that it had opened an investigation to determine whether Tinner had broken Swiss law by making precision parts in Malaysia that were destined for Libya.

He is believed to have been part of the international clandestine network of Pakistani scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan, which helped Libya's nuclear program, German authorities said.

German prosecutors said they were preparing treason charges against the engineer.

Tinner is alleged to have overseen machine work in Malaysia on gas centrifuge parts that were intercepted by Western intelligence last October on a ship bound for Libya. He's also alleged to have trained Libyans in their use.

Gas centrifuges are needed to enrich uranium for use in nuclear weapons.

If the Swiss suspects are tried and convicted of violating sanctions and illegally exporting war material they could face as much as 10 years in prison and a $4 million fine.

[sarasota]

The Swiss? That's a new one, at least to me.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

The Swiss? That's a new one, at least to me.

In 1991 Saddam had numerous Swiss centrifuges. In the 1950's, the U.S. declassified the gaseous diffusion (centrifuge) method of separating nuclear isotopes used during WW-II on the assumption that no one would ever use such a primitive method again.

[TexKat]

To me also sarasota.

[Fedora]

Thought you might want to add this to the timeline.

[piasa]

thanks!

[piasa]

Tahir told police of cash-filled briefcases left in a Dubai apartment and meetings in Casablanca, Morocco, Dutch-design nuclear centrifuge units airlifted from Pakistan to Libya and machine shop parts Tripoli bought from Italy and Spain. He named British and Swiss nationals, detailed Khan's contact-building from Germany and Switzerland to Turkey and South Africa and described how a consultant of his worked at Malaysian firm Scope on a contract to make centrifuge parts. Police have absolved the company of any wrongdoing. The firm is part of publicly listed Scomi Group Bhd, which is controlled by the Malaysian prime minister's son, Kamaluddin Abdullah, and two other investors.
- "Malaysia Coy on Fate of Suspected Nuke Middleman," By Patrick Chalmers , Reuters, Sat Feb 21, 2004 07:43 AM ET

[sarasota]

I lived in Switzerland in the 70's. At that time all Swiss nationals were issued military weapons and were required to serve two weeks every year in training. Do you know if this is still true?

[piasa]

I believe so. Don't know for sure, though.