Lauber says it will be difficult for the investigation to advance without 'real information' from Edward Snowden who is currently in Russia
Keystone
The Chief Federal Prosecutor, Michael Lauber, is playing down expectations into a recently opened investigation into US spying in Switzerland. In an interview with a Sunday newspaper, he said he needed “real information”.
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“In relation to Edward Snowden it will be very difficult to obtain information from Russia,” Lauber told the Zentralschweiz am Sonntag newspaper. “Without real information, I cannot do very much.”
The cabinet approved a request on Friday from the Federal Prosecutor’s Office to open criminal proceedings into alleged spying on Swiss soil by foreign secret services.
In June and October this year The Guardian newspaper and Der Spiegel magazine published documents from former National Security Agency (NSA) whistleblower Edward Snowden, claiming to reveal the extent of US spying in Switzerland.
“The merit of Mr Snowden is ultimately that we know that all these things went on,” Lauber added. “We shouldn’t believe that it’s not still going on though.”
The main issue for Lauber is how to deal with the issue of security, when people are so dependent on computers and other communication tools, and therefore vulnerable.
“When we talk about important matters, that should only be done in person and not over the telephone,” said Lauber.
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Probe launched into foreign spying
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“Various clarifications are under way, and will be later examined,” the office told the Swiss News Agency, confirming reports in two Swiss Sunday newspapers. In particular, article 271 of the penal code, which lists punishable acts by a foreign state, had been broken, according to the office. It would not comment further on other aspects…
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The cabinet announced on Wednesday that it had given special mandates to the justice, foreign and finance ministries to seek further clarifications about possible NSA snooping on Swiss soil with a view to “adopting definite measures”. The controversy has alarmed certain parliamentarians. The Swiss government is facing calls for political measures and the parliamentary committee that…
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Revelations from former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden about the extent of eavesdropping by the US agency, Britain’s GCHQ and partners continue to cause outrage in Europe. They have also sparked a global debate over privacy and the limits of spying. Switzerland has also been pulled into the controversy (see infobox). The cabinet…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.