National Council wants to expel Russian spies more consistently
Published: Tuesday, Dec 12th 2023, 11:50
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The Federal Council should expel Russian and other foreign spies from the country more consistently. This is what the National Council is calling for in a motion. The Federal Council wants to continue to examine each case individually, regardless of the outcome.
On Tuesday, the Grand Chamber adopted a corresponding motion from its Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC-N) by 103 votes to 74 with 19 abstentions. The matter now goes to the Council of States.
If it also approves the proposal, the Federal Council must consistently expel all foreign nationals who endanger Switzerland's internal or external security or Switzerland's role as a host state through prohibited intelligence activities and who cannot be prosecuted.
Today, there are loopholes, said Commission spokesperson Fabian Molina (SP/ZH). Persons belonging to a diplomatic corps often invoked diplomatic immunity in connection with prohibited intelligence services. "Switzerland has a problem with foreign and especially Russian spies," said Molina.
According to the Federal Intelligence Service (FIS), one in five Russian intelligence officers in Europe is based in Switzerland. "This is also due to the Federal Council's sluggish handling of the problem."
Building on previous practice
Intelligence service activities can already be prosecuted today. Prohibited intelligence services are punishable in Switzerland. The current practice is sufficient for the SVP/FDP minority in the National Council, as spokesperson Roland Rino Büchel (SVP/SG) emphasized.
The Federal Council is rightly reluctant to expel or convict employees of foreign intelligence services - as long as the espionage activities do not threaten Switzerland's internal security. "Does it make sense to expel two spies with great fanfare and in return no longer receive any security-relevant information?" asked Büchel rhetorically.
Defense Minister Viola Amherd made it clear that even if the motion is accepted, an individual case-by-case examination and decision would continue to be made in order to take due account of the specific circumstances and Switzerland's interests. "We will build on previous practice."
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