Swiss authorities on Wednesday adopted sanctions against the Iranian government for supplying drones to Russia in connection with the invasion of Ukraine, thus joining the measures adopted by the European Union.
However, they have ruled out adopting the EU bloc’s sanctions in connection with the protests that began two months ago in the country following the death of young Masha Amini.
In a statement, the Swiss government explained that these measures have been taken after taking into account all the political interests of Switzerland internally and externally, but condemned the use of force by the Iranian police during the demonstrations and called on Tehran to fulfill its obligations in terms of international rights and national and international level.
On October 20, the EU imposed sanctions against three individuals and an Iranian entity for supplying drones used in attacks against civilians during the war in Ukraine. Days earlier, the bloc reported that it had also adopted sanctions against eleven individuals and four entities over the death of Amini and the strong response by security forces in connection with the protests.
Following the death of Amini, who was in police custody after being arrested for violating the Islamic dress code, Switzerland was one of the first countries to demand an independent, prompt and impartial investigation into what happened.