Assets seized from refugees to pay for aid in Switzerland

Refugees arriving in Switzerland have to turn over to the state any assets worth more than €900 to help pay for their upkeep, broadcaster SRF reported, revealing a practice that has drawn sharp rebukes for Denmark.

SRF’s 10 vor 10 news programme showed a receipt a refugee from Syria said he got from authorities when he had to turn over more than half of the cash his family had left after paying traffickers to help them get to the neutral Alpine country.

It also showed an information sheet for refugees that states: “If you have property worth more than 1,000 Swiss francs when you arrive at a reception centre you are required to give up these financial assets in return for a receipt.”