Switzerland is a favourite hub for foreign spies, reports paper
Geneva is said to be a favourite spot for spies who can blend in with the tourists.
Keystone
Switzerland is an increasingly favoured meeting place for foreign secret service agents, reports the NZZ am Sonntag newspaper. However, Swiss intelligence is keen to clamp down on the encounters.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/jc
Português
pt
Suíça é a plataforma preferida dos espiões estrangeiros
The paper writes that the resurgence of Switzerland as a hub for spy meetings is due to the country’s central geographical location, good infrastructure and low level of police surveillance.
The paper quotes sources as saying that the number of meetings in Switzerland between spies from foreign countries has “exploded” in recent years because of rising demand for secret information. The sources did not wish to be named.
During such meetings, foreign secret service agents confer new foreign missions to spies, deliver payments, and gather information, the paper adds.
“They look just like you or I, only less noticeable,” writes the NZZ. “They meet in Zurich hotel lobbies, Bern diplomatic apartments and Geneva conference rooms. And they live with false identities, so-called codenames.”
It says Geneva is a favourite place because of the large number of international organizations.
Swiss intelligence services are aware of the meetings, and have put in place measures to “uncover, prevent or at least disturb” such encounters, spokeswoman Isabelle Graber told the paper. To do this, it works closely with relevant foreign states.
“It is not in Switzerland’s interest to have sources meeting on its territory that go against the interests of a friendly country,” says Graber. “In return, we expect that friendly countries also work the same way to stop spy activity on their territory that is against Switzerland’s interests.
In 2016, Swiss voters also approved a new law to give the intelligence services more tools to tap private phone lines and monitor cyberspace activities.
Most Read Swiss Abroad
More
Swiss government open to reversing ban on new nuclear plants
What do you think Switzerland’s Alain Berset can bring to the Council of Europe?
The former interior minister is to become the first Swiss Secretary General of the Council of Europe – which issues should his five-year term focus on?
Bodycams: essential for good law enforcement, or a privacy risk?
Did you ever come across bodycams in your place of residence and if so, how do you think the use of bodycams alter the relationship between the public and (transport) police?
What can be done to protect biodiversity in your country?
Swiss voters are set to decide on a people’s initiative calling for better protection of ecosystems in the country. Have your say on the September 22 vote.
Hotel rates already spiking ahead of 2025 Eurovision in Basel
This content was published on
A week after Basel was chosen to host the Eurovision Song Contest next year, hotel prices are soaring in neighboring cities.
Swiss Post restructure going ahead as planned, says CEO
This content was published on
The postal service is going ahead with planned cuts to its nationwide network of branches, regardless of political initiatives, says Robert Cirillo.
Swiss athletes grab marathon double gold at Paralympics
This content was published on
Catherine Debrunner won her fifth gold at the Paris Games with a victory in the women’s marathon on Sunday, while Marcel Hug took gold in the men’s.
Helicopter evacuations from Saas Valley to continue on Monday
This content was published on
Some 550 tourists were flown out of the Saas valley on Saturday. After further clearance work on Sunday, evacuations will resume on Monday.
Swiss government pensions come under pressure in parliament
This content was published on
A parliamentary committee is favour of scrapping the generous pensions enjoyed by former government ministers and federal judges.
This content was published on
Appointed in April as the EU's incoming ambassador, Slovak man Miroslav Lajčák will ultimately not take up the post in Bern this year.
SNB boss: as a leading financial hub, Swiss must accept risks
This content was published on
The outgoing head of the Swiss National Bank, Thomas Jordan, says the country should aim to preserve its leading financial position.
Top Swiss court rules against prostitution exclusion zone
This content was published on
The Federal Court ruled that a Swiss town went too far in banning prostitution within a 100-metre radius of certain sensitive locations.
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.
Read more
More
Swiss alleged to have spied inside German tax office
This content was published on
German investigators believe a mole spied for the Swiss intelligence service inside a German tax office, which was trying to catch German tax dodgers.
This content was published on
Ilhan Saygili said he was sure that “no such activities were conducted within the realm of our embassy”, in an interview with Swiss public television, SRF, on Wednesday. He added that he would be willing to cooperate with the criminal probe being carried out by the Federal Prosecutors Office into the allegations if there was…
Lifting the curtain on the Swiss intelligence service
This content was published on
The Swiss spy scandal has shone a spotlight on the Intelligence Service. We reveal what it gets up to – and who watches the watchers.
This content was published on
Well-known radio journalist and radio director Joachim Staritz – alias “Robert” – lived and worked in Switzerland for about six years in the 1980s. He had a vast network of journalists, artists and scientists. What nobody guessed was that Staritz was also working for Stasi – the security ministry of East Germany. During the day…
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.