The Epstein Files have triggered investigations in several countries. The files also show connections to Switzerland.Image: EPA
The Epstein files contain references to connections to Switzerland. The Zurich public prosecutor’s office is monitoring the situation closely – a criminal law professor believes an investigation is unlikely.
02/15/2026, 09:2302/15/2026, 09:23
The Epstein files also revealed connections to Switzerland. Research by View show that Epstein had contact with at least five women in Switzerland. The NZZ revealed that a young bank employee with Russian citizenship who temporarily lived in Switzerland referred women to Epstein.
While other countries are already investigating the Epstein files, things have remained quiet in Switzerland so far. “SonntagsBlick” asked the Zurich public prosecutor’s office whether they were investigating the files.
The Zurich public prosecutor’s office responded that it was “carefully following the local media reporting on this matter,” according to “SonntagsBlick”. An investigation will be opened if there is concrete evidence of an official offense.
When asked whether the placement activity of the Russian citizen, who was temporarily staying in Switzerland, would be treated as human trafficking and therefore an official offense, the Zurich public prosecutor’s office did not want to provide any information.
Crime scene crucial
If there is suspicion of human trafficking in Switzerland, the Swiss authorities would have to investigate, says criminal law professor Jonas Weber to “SonntagsBlick”. However, this threshold is set high: for this to occur, there must be sexual exploitation and a precarious situation of the victim.
There is so far too little evidence of this in Switzerland. According to Weber, the “mediation” of women alone is not a punishable offense. In addition, the women would have to be in a pressure situation and the mediator should have known that the women would later be sexually exploited.
Alternatively, Switzerland could investigate complicity in a sexual crime. However, if the abuse took place in the USA, the US authorities would be responsible for the investigation. For a Swiss investigation to take place, a request for legal assistance would first have to be received from the USA. Since the USA is not planning any further investigations into the Epstein files, Weber believes it is impossible for Swiss authorities to open proceedings themselves without new information.
The “SonntagsBlick” further writes that police investigations are still underway to find out whether there is suspicion. A particular difficulty may lie in identifying the victims and obtaining their statements.
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