Brasília, May 10, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - After nearly eight months of negotiations, on Wednesday (12) the Brazilian and Swiss governments will sign a judicial cooperation accord in the area of penal law. The goal is to work together with the Swiss government to facilitate investigations and penal actions in crimes involving money-laundering and tax evasion. In exceptional cases, the idea is to gain permission to repatriate illegally obtained funds deposited in Swiss banks. The Minister of Justice, Márcio Thomaz Bastos, embarks today for Bern, the Swiss capital, where the accord will be signed.

Brazil will be the first South American country to sign a judicial cooperation treaty with Switzerland. The step is part of the action developed by the Brazilian government to combat money-laundering and recover assets that represent the product of organized crime and other illegal activities. The assistance agreement between the two countries will also make it possible to obtain testimony and statements from people who live abroad. Registers and documents may also be provided and used as proof in criminal cases in Brazil.

The Brazilian government currently maintains judicial cooperation accords in the area of penal law with the United States, Colombia, France, Italy, Peru, Portugal, and South Korea, as well as with its Mercosur partners: Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

Translator: David Silberstein