WikiLeaks banker on trial

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 organizations.