Under-fire Swiss attorney general offers to step down
Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber - facing impeachment proceedings over his handling of a FIFA corruption probe - has offered his resignation following a court decision that criticised his conduct.
Lauber’s move comes after a federal court in Switzerland said on Friday that Lauber had committed several breaches of his official duties and lied to investigators while his office examined alleged corruption surrounding soccer governing body FIFA.
Lauber has again denied that he was lying.
The Federal Administrative Court (FAC) saidExternal link that Lauber made “implausible” statements about an undisclosed meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in June 2017. It added that Lauber “intentionally made a false statement” to the watchdog investigating his conduct and knowingly concealed the meeting.
“Overall, the court finds that Attorney General Lauber committed several breaches of official duty,” the court said.
The ruling was in response to Lauber’s appeal against being disciplined in March for misconduct over the FIFA affair. Here, a federal oversight panel deducted 8% of Lauber’s near-$300,000 (CHF278,000) yearly salary for “breach of duty”.
More
More
Swiss attorney general has pay cut for breach of duty
This content was published on
Swiss watchdog accuses Attorney general Michael Lauber of disloyalty and lying in connection with an international football corruption investigation.
“In the interests of the institutions I offer my resignation,” Lauber said in personal statementExternal link released by the Office of the Attorney General on Friday. saying he was concerned about the reputation of the Office of the Attorney General.
Lauber again insisted that he had not lied, as he has stated previously. “However if they [the court] do not believe me as attorney general, then the Office of the Attorney General will be harmed,” he said.
Attorney general since 2012, Lauber was already facing impeachment proceedings, while a special prosecutor is reviewing criminal complaints against him and Infantino, who has denied any wrongdoing.
More
More
Corruption at FIFA: 25 criminal cases and a prosecutor in hot water
This content was published on
Switzerland’s attorney general Michael Lauber is facing impeachment proceedings over controversial secret meetings with the FIFA president.
Swiss attorney faces possible impeachment over FIFA probe
This content was published on
Michael Lauber could become the first high-ranking national official to be impeached over his handling of a FIFA corruption probe.
Switzerland abstains from vote on Palestinian bid for full UN membership
This content was published on
On Friday, Switzerland abstained from the vote at the General Assembly on granting the Palestinians new rights at the United Nations (UN).
Protein in abdominal fat could help shape obesity treatment
This content was published on
The study analysed fat cells from different locations in the body, and found that those in the abdomen have unique properties.
North African asylum claims fall after rapid Swiss processing
This content was published on
The accelerated procedure, now out of its test phase, has resulted in a significant drop in applications from North African countries.
This content was published on
The artist's song "The Code" focuses on their journey as a nonbinary individual. It is one of the favourites to win this year's contest.
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.