Increased border controls revealed no evidence of terrorism
Published: Wednesday, Sep 11th 2024, 12:32
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The targeted strengthening of controls at the Swiss borders due to an increased terrorist threat has not resulted in any concrete findings regarding terrorism. However, the controls did lead to more hits in the search databases. The measure had no impact on irregular migration.
The increased controls were ended on September 6, as announced by the Federal Office of Police (Fedpol), the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) and the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) on Wednesday. At the end of May, the Federal Council ordered increased border controls for June and until September 8. During this period, major sporting events were taking place in neighboring countries.
The checks on goods and people already carried out at the "neuralgic border crossings" and in areas close to the border have been intensified. According to the communiqué, it was possible to deploy more personnel than usual for the checks thanks to a prioritization of tasks, thus increasing the density of checks at selected border crossings.
No effect on irregular migration
As expected, this would have led to additional hits in the search databases, the statement continued. There were no direct and/or concrete findings or arrests relating to terrorism. The hits were, for example, people who had not paid a fine or were wanted for arrest.
With regard to irregular migration, the additional controls have had no effect. Since mid-July, there has been an increase in the number of people staying in Switzerland illegally. However, according to the authorities, the figures were lower than in the same period in 2023.
©Keystone/SDA
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