Islamabad,In an unusual incident at Islamabad International Airport, two Swiss diplomats were stopped by Airport Security Force (ASF) officials after a scan of their diplomatic pouch revealed a large sum of undeclared currency. Mr. Marc Antoine Bichet and Mr. Riccardo Ricci, who were en route to Kabul on a UN special flight, were found to be carrying $200,000 USD in their diplomatic bag.
Despite presenting an official letter from the Swiss Embassy confirming the pouch’s diplomatic status, ASF officials proceeded with a scan and subsequent search. Upon discovering the excess currency,
ASF officials seized the amount and handed it over to customs. Customs officials then processed the matter according to standard procedures for private passengers, seemingly disregarding the diplomatic implications.
The diplomats were ultimately allowed to retain $10,000 USD in accordance with regulations, while the remaining $190,000 USD was returned to a representative of the Swiss Embassy.
This incident raises questions about the handling of diplomatic pouches and the adherence to international diplomatic norms.
