Arrested in Geneva: institutions, borders and finance
Geneva combines three things that no other Swiss city has together: a dense concentration of international organisations, a border that thousands cross daily, and private banking. Each produces its own kind of case. The Swiss clock is the same as in Zurich — 48 hours to the application, four days to the court.
The question Geneva raises
Staff of international organisations and permanent missions may hold immunities of very different scope: some absolute, some limited to official acts, some waivable by the organisation alone. It is established from the person's status and the governing instrument, not asserted informally.
The recurring mistake is assuming it covers private conduct — for most categories it does not — and failing to notify the organisation, which is the only body that can raise or waive it.
The border
Geneva is surrounded by France, and the practical consequences are constant: vehicles registered on one side, residence on the other, cash and goods moved across, and offences whose elements straddle the line.
- Cash declarations. Switzerland is outside the EU customs union, so the obligation applies on both sides of the crossing.
- Vehicles and driving. Swiss thresholds and penalties differ from French ones, and a measure taken here has effects there.
- Goods. Purchases brought across can engage customs offences on either side.
- Parallel proceedings. Where the same facts touch both countries, the question of being prosecuted twice arises, and it is dealt with in the guide on double prosecution.
Financial cases
Private banking generates proceedings of its own: money laundering, unauthorised financial activity, asset seizures and mutual assistance requests from other countries. For an Italian client the relevant part is usually the request, and how it is executed here.
Switzerland is outside the EU, so cooperation follows the mutual assistance route rather than the European Investigation Order, with longer timescales and more room to be heard. The Italian side is in the guide on cross-border investigations.
The Swiss clock, in short
Twenty-four hours of police custody, twenty-four more for the prosecutor, and a decision by the compulsory measures court within four days. The full framework is in the guide for Switzerland.
Frequently asked questions
Does immunity cover me?
It depends on its scope. Many categories cover official acts only, and it is established from status and the governing instrument rather than asserted.
I live in France and work in Geneva.
That is the ordinary situation here, and it means facts can straddle the border. Which authority is proceeding, and on what, is the first thing to establish.
How long can they hold me?
Twenty-four hours by the police and twenty-four more by the prosecutor, with the compulsory measures court ruling within four days of the arrest.
Is carrying cash across the border an offence?
There is a declaration obligation, and Switzerland is outside the EU customs union, so it applies in both directions.
If this is happening now
If immunity may apply, the organisation must be notified early: it is the only body that can raise or waive it. First contact is free and covered by professional privilege, at any hour.