Swiss banker who helped WikiLeaks faces trial

Geneva: A Swiss banker whose actions
caused a US judge to briefly shut down WikiLeaks three years
ago goes on trial next week for distributing confidential
documents.

Rudolf Elmer has been ordered to appear before a
Zurich regional court on January 19 to answer charges of
coercion and violating Switzerland`s strict banking secrecy
laws. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to three years
in prison and fined.

Elmer`s release of files from the Swiss-based bank
Julius Baer`s offshore operations in the Cayman Islands
prompted a US judge to temporarily shut down WikiLeaks in
2008. The order was lifted following complaints from free
speech groups and media organisations.

PTI