FDFA press release, [Switzerland strengthens process to deal with illicitly acquired assets](https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/blueprint/en/home/aktuell/news.html/content/eda/en/meta/news/2016/5/25/61857), 25.5.2016.
The approach chosen by the Swiss authorities to expedite the mutual legal assistance process is to order the preventive freezing of assets. In the event that the mutual legal assistance proceedings do not succeed, this approach also allows the Federal Council to take the measures to confiscate and return the assets provided for by the Foreign Illicit Assets Act.