Swiss spy scandal documents to remain under lock and key
The Federal Intelligence Service (headquartered behind the fence) is keeping hold of many sensitive documents.
Keystone / Peter Klaunzer
Many of the documents relating to the Crypto company spy scandal will remain under lock and key, says the deputy head of the Swiss Federal Intelligence Service (FIS).
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/mga
العربية
ar
العديد من وثائق فضيحة التجسّس السويسرية ستبقى قيد الحجز
Even the intelligence services don’t know what happened to a file that went missing in 2014, according to a Swiss public television SRF report.
It is alleged that the German and United States intelligence services spied on a host of other countries after they took over the Crypto business in 1971. Hundreds of thousands of messages between governments, embassies and military commands from more than 100 countries could be monitored up until 2018 when the espionage is said to have stopped.
The revelation, uncovered by a media investigation, has rocked Switzerland’s image as a neutral nation. The Swiss government has appointed a former judge to conduct an inquiry into the case.
The investigation by SRF, the Washington Post and German broadcaster ZDF, relied on 280 pages of previously secret documents. But Jürg Buhler of the Federal Intelligence Service (FIS) says that other sensitive documents will not see the light of day in the immediate future.
This includes details of a Swiss police investigation in the 1990s that Bühler himself led. The probe was dropped without charges being laid.
“There is still a lot of valuable personal data in these files,” he told SRFExternal link. “They contain reports from foreign partners that are subject to [official secrecy] protection and protocols from parliamentary commissions that we cannot open at the moment.”
The SRF programme Rundschau had previously tried to obtain documents in 2014, but a key file disappeared and has still not been located. Even FIS says it does not know where the file is.
Bühler said that the Swiss intelligence service had only recently heard about the missing file and hoped that it would show up at some stage.
External Content
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Politics
In Switzerland, New Year brings ‘burka ban’ and pension hikes
This content was published on
A Swiss study suggests that the Gulf Stream hasn’t weakened yet, but it’s too early to sound the all-clear on future climate change.
Switzerland adopts EU rules to curb illegal air entry into Schengen
This content was published on
The Swiss government has approved EU rules on sharing passenger information to prevent air passengers from illegally entering the Schengen area.
Swiss skier dies after accident on Bernese Oberland slopes
This content was published on
An 80-year-old Swiss man died on Monday following an accident on a marked piste in the Adelboden-Lenk ski area in the Bernese Oberland.
International and Swiss experts call for new obesity guidelines
This content was published on
A group of global experts, including Swiss doctors, has issued a report calling for a new definition of obesity that goes beyond BMI.
Iran and EU discuss nuclear issues, Russia and the Middle East in Switzerland
This content was published on
After meeting with French, German, and British representatives on Monday, Iran continued its talks with the EU representative in Geneva.
This content was published on
Lucerne-based steelmaker Swiss Steel has confirmed it will cut 130 jobs in Emmenbrücke, despite the emergency aid promised by Switzerland’s parliament.
Swiss SGS and French Bureau Veritas eye $35 billion merger
This content was published on
The Swiss inspection firm SGS has confirmed it is in talks with the French company Bureau Veritas about a potential merger of nearly $35 billion.
European committee raises alarm over police violence in western Switzerland
This content was published on
A Council of Europe committee is concerned about police practices in western Switzerland, citing “allegations of physical mistreatment” against detainees.
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
Politicians demand full truth about Swiss role in Crypto affair
This content was published on
Who knew what about the relationship between foreign intelligence services and Swiss firm Crypto? Swiss politicians want answers, and quickly.
Latest spy scandal ‘shatters Swiss neutrality’, say papers
This content was published on
A spying affair going back decades is a blow to Switzerland’s neutrality, credibility and even sovereignty, say Swiss newspapers.
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.