Swiss summon Italian ambassador over bank raids

ZURICH Oct 28 (Reuters) - Switzerland has summoned the Italian ambassador for an explanation over raids Rome carried out against dozens of Swiss banks in Italy as a tax row between the two countries escalates, a Swiss Interior Ministry spokesman said.

The Italian tax agency said on Tuesday hundreds of police and tax inspectors made checks at 76 branches of mainly Swiss banks as part of Italy's fight against tax evasion. [ID:LR449823]

The relationship between the two countries has deteriorated since Italy launched a very generous tax amnesty aimed at capturing billions of euros hidden by Italians in Switzerland and other offshore centres.

(Writing by Lisa Jucca)