Liechtenstein Freezes Assets in Libya Nuclear Probe

Liechtenstein announced yesterday that it has frozen bank accounts containing $2.3 million as part of a nuclear smuggling probe, Agence France-Presse reported (see GSN, March 16).

Authorities in Germany and Switzerland requested the move in connection with their investigation of alleged trafficking of uranium enrichment equipment to Libya between 2001 and 2003, said prosecutors in Liechtenstein.

The equipment could be used in the production of material for a nuclear weapon.

German engineer Gotthard Lerch is on trial in Germany on charges of providing sensitive technology to Libya’s now-shuttered nuclear weapons program (see GSN, May 16).

A Swiss man and his two sons are suspected of supporting development of gas centrifuges. They are accused of export violations and money laundering, AFP reported (Agence France-Presse, May 23).

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