The attorney general of Switzerland has filed a first indictment in connection with the Petrobras investigation. Two cases against financial institutions are pending.

The attorney general suspects a financial intermediary of complicity in the bribery of foreign public officials as well as simple and aggravated money laundering, according to a statement released by the office on Tuesday. The proceedings against the suspect of Swiss and Brazilian origin had been launched four years ago.

The case is one of a series in context of an international corruption affair involving state-owned Petrobras and Odebrecht. The latter is a conglomerate with strong interests in the petrochemical industry.

The case published today is the first to reach the Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona. The suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Far-Reaching Investigation

The Swiss authorities looked into more than 1,000 bank accounts at more than 40 Swiss banks over the course of the investigation, that was part of an international probe called «Lava Jato». The scandal and the investigation included alleged bribery payments of $1 billion that were sent to Swiss bank accounts.

Names of banks that allegedly were used by the suspects included PKB, Notenstein La Roche, Julius Baer, Credit Suisse and Union Bancaire Privée, Lombard Odier, Pictet and Banque Heritage.

Some 60 criminal proceedings are pending at the office, which is led by Attorney General Michael Lauber, in connection with the affair, including two cases against financial institutions in Switzerland.

620 Million Francs Seized

Brazilian authorities assumed the lead in about 15 cases initiated in Switzerland with the intention of continuing the prosecution, the Swiss attorney general said today.

He has seized some 620 million Swiss francs ($627 million) in assets and, with the agreement of the involved parties, returned 390 million francs to Brazil already.

Accelerated Proceedings

Criminal proceedings for money laundering of funds derived from corruption had already been opened in Brazil and Portugal against the same individual, the office reported. The Swiss office however took over their cases.

The case is being handled under the accelerated proceedings article in the Swiss penal code, which makes it possible, subject to certain requirements, to conclude a case more quickly. The accused must admit his or her guilt and accept the civil claims, at least in principle.