Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber on Friday criticized an independent disciplinary investigation into his conduct relating to a football corruption investigation.
This content was published on
2 minutes
RTS/Keystone-SDA/jc
The watchdog overseeing Swiss federal prosecutors has ordered a disciplinary investigation into Lauber over several informal meetings with the head of the world soccer body FIFA, Gianni Infantino.
“It’s not only a full-frontal assault on my person,” he told reporters on Friday. “In my opinion, it’s also an infringement on the independence of the Office of the Attorney General.”
Lauber believes “conspiracy theories” over his meetings with Infantino and presumptions of dishonesty are interfering with prosecutorial integrity ahead of a parliamentary vote over his re-election due in June.
He insisted on Friday that he would still run for a third term. Parliament is to decide whether or not to re-appoint him.
Third meeting?
The Attorney General is under a preliminary investigation by the watchdog overseeing his office after media allegations in April of a third secret meeting with Infantino in 2017. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has been investigating several cases of corruption involving Zurich-based FIFA, dating back to 2014 and the presidency of Sepp Blatter.
Lauber has acknowledged two meetings with current FIFA president Infantino, saying they were intended to help coordinate the investigation. However, he claims no recollection of a third meeting. He has also denied accusations of lying or hiding information.
Such meetings are permitted but should be properly recorded and documented, according to the watchdog body for Lauber’s office.
The oversight body said on Friday that the disciplinary investigation will be conducted by an external expert to ensure that the procedure is objective and fair.
Lauber was quizzed by a parliamentary controls committee on Friday and said he would face other committees next week.
More
More
Attorney general under pressure over alleged meeting with FIFA boss
This content was published on
A probe has been opened to shed light on an alleged third meeting between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber.
First large-scale alpine solar plant approved in Switzerland
This content was published on
The approval was met with satisfaction by the project's organisers, but it also brings with it a certain amount of pressure.
Medieval squirrels may have ‘helped spread leprosy’
This content was published on
An examination of squirrel remains in the United Kingdom has opened up interesting questions and possibilities in terms of the history of the disease.
Swiss money laundering office registers record number of reports
This content was published on
The Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS) registered a record number of reports of suspicious activity last year.
Two teens accused of planning terror attack released from custody
This content was published on
The Schaffhausen judiciary has released the two teenagers from custody who allegedly planned bomb attacks in Switzerland.
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
Attorney General to seek re-election despite Football Leaks scandal
This content was published on
Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber says he did nothing wrong meeting with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, despite a FIFA corruption probe.
Football Leaks probe closed against Swiss prosecutor
This content was published on
The Valais Attorney General’s Office has closed its probe into the ties between a Valais prosecutor and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Lawyer says that Volkswagen case stalling in Switzerland
This content was published on
Geneva lawyer Jacques Roulet formally wrote a letter to the Swiss justice minister, Karin Keller-Sutter, complaining about the alleged delays “in a case of national importance,” according to news agency Keystone-SDA. The letter points out that the Federal Criminal Court had ordered the attorney general to initiate criminal proceedings against Volkswagen AG, AMAG and AMAG’s affiliates and employees in November 2016. Since then, the…
Blatter vows to sue FIFA over lost reputation and watch collection
This content was published on
Blatter was deposed as FIFA president in 2015 and later banned from football-related activities for six years. The Swiss Attorney General is also investigating the 83-year-old Swiss national for allegedly enriching himself illegally during his time as the head of football’s world governing body. But Blatter continues to fight his corner, telling both the Swiss…
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.