Ukrainian refugee drives a Porsche and travels across Europe: now he has to repay the aid money
A Swiss court ordered a Ukrainian refugee to repay tens of thousands of francs in social welfare funds after judges concluded that he did not have a genuine financial need.
The man fled Ukraine in 2022 and sought protection and financial support in Switzerland, where he settled in the canton of Vaud. His application for social assistance was initially approved.
However, the Swiss authorities later re-examined his case and brought it to court. The court decided that the 40-year-old man is obliged to repay 67,000 Swiss francs, equivalent to about 72,000 euros, after it was proven that he owned a Porsche and traveled on expensive trips within Europe.
Court documents revealed travel expenses to countries such as Austria, Italy, France, and Portugal, in addition to financial transactions indicating significant income. The refugee claimed that the flight bookings and payment orders were not his, but belonged to friends who covered the costs or asked him to carry out the transactions, but the court was not convinced by this narrative.
The judges concluded that those who can afford such expenses cannot be considered to be in genuine financial distress. In Switzerland, strict rules apply regarding social assistance, where authorities, especially in areas like the Canton of Vaud, meticulously examine assets such as cars and access to other financial resources. This case, prepared by Marcel Gorman, highlights the serious consequences of failing to meet the strict conditions for receiving social support in Switzerland.