Former Swiss banker collapses in WikiLeaks trial

Source: Reuters

Rudolf Elmer, a former senior executive at Baer's Cayman Islands' office, fainted outside the courtroom in Zurich after earlier complaining of a headache. The 59-year-old, who denies the charges, was taken away by ambulance and a spokesman for the court said it was unclear when his trial would resume.

The case comes as Switzerland is seeking to preserve its domestic banking secrecy rules after, under global pressure, it agreed in May to join other countries in sharing tax information for international account holders.

The former banker has been under investigation since 2011 for giving WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange two compact discs during a news conference in London. Elmer said at the time they contained confidential data on about 2,000 offshore banking clients but on Wednesday he told the court they were empty.

Elmer - who has previously described himself as a "Gandhi of Swiss tax law" and said he wants to draw attention to financial abuses - was charged in July. He could face jail if found guilty.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/10/us-swiss-tax-elmer-idUSKBN0JO0XX20141210