HSBC whistleblower to avoid Swiss hearing

Herve Falciani, whose data leak spawned global investigations into how HSBC Holdings allegedly helped clients avoid taxes, won’t appear in person to defend himself against charges of violating bank secrecy laws and risk arrest.

The former IT worker, 43, will be represented by lawyer Marc Henzelin at the October 12 hearing at the Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona, Switzerland, where he also faces charges of industrial espionage.

“He called me and sent me an email saying clearly he will not attend the trial because he does not trust the Swiss justice system in this particular case,” Geneva-based Henzelin said.