Justice dirties its hands

The German government has indicated its intention to purchase data about 1,500 alleged tax evaders sourced in Switzerland. The Austrian daily Die Presse criticises this and argues that wrong should only be fought with right: "Frustrated bank employees, informers and anyone who wants to earn a quick buck: Pay attention! Here's a new business model. Encouraged by its success in the Liechtenstein affair, the German government now wants to pay millions for stolen bank data from Switzerland. ... But does the end justify the means? Liechtenstein has shown the way: Give a warning shot and even notoriously taciturn tax havens start to cooperate. But this is an argument taken from the pages of Machiavelli's archive, which doesn't tip the Scales of Justice by even a millimetre. Yes, it is wrong that the Swiss protect tax evaders. But he who responds to wrongdoing with wrongdoing loses his moral legitimation. Haven't we been telling the Americans this all along?"

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