Swiss authorities have refused to re-open a case examining corruption accusations leveraged against Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari, reported Pakistan's law ministry.
The accusations have seen Pakistan's Supreme Court take on the ruling Pakistan People's Party and called on Swiss authorities to re-open cases on Zardari and his late wife, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who were alleged to have laundered at least $12 million in kickbacks through Swiss banks.
The scandal saw former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani ousted last year, after he refused to write to Swiss authorities and urge them to re-examine the case.
However, it has now been reported that Swiss officials have stated Zardari has immunity as head of state, with law ministry official Yasmin Abbasey, telling AFP,
"They have responded to the letter and said the president has immunity... This was the main issue and they have confirmed it, that the president enjoys immunity."
See the report from AFP here.
