Swiss newspaper NZZ am Sonntag said the raids had been carried out at the request of the German authorities and were linked to the activities of the man, Gotthard L., a resident of the northeastern city of St. Gallen active in the nuclear industry.

The paper said he was involved in components for centrifuges, which are essential elements in the production of nuclear equipment for both civil and military uses.

It is not known when the raids took place.

The Swiss prosecutor's office would only confirm that a police operation concerning "a person resident in Switzerland" had been carried out, and refused to reveal the identity of the person or the type of company targeted by the raids.

German prosecutors detained another German, Gerhard W., a resident of South Africa, in connection with the investigation on August 26.

He is suspected of having served as an intermediary in 2001 between an international network of atomic energy technology providers and a South African company designated to deliver equipment such as centrifuge pipes used in the enrichment of uranium to Libya.

Gerhard W., 65, was freed on bail after his two rented flats in Germany were searched.

Last February the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) handed the Swiss authorities a list of 15 people suspected of having taken part in secret Libyan and Iranian nuclear programmes.

Switzerland admitted then that the name of a German national aged 61 and living in St. Gallen ws on that list and his home had already been searched.

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