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.
Keystone
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.
In Switzerland more people are being referred to electrical therapies or psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Are there similar approaches where you live?
Is your place of origin, your Heimatort, important to you?
Every Swiss citizen has a Heimatort, a place of origin, but many have never visited theirs. What’s your relationship with your Heimatort? What does it mean to you?
Ex-sect member sentenced in Zurich for sexual abuse
This content was published on
Zurich District Court has sentenced a former member of the globally active sect "Children of God" to a partial prison sentence.
SNB chairman does not rule out slowdown in Swiss growth
This content was published on
Martin Schlegel, chairman of the Swiss National Bank (SNB), does not rule out a weakening of the Swiss economy in light of the tariff dispute.
Swiss NGOs abroad to receive 10% less federal funding
This content was published on
In 2025 and 2026, Swiss NGOs will have 10% less federal funding available for international cooperation than in the previous two-year period.
Swiss parties spent less than CHF1 million on February green vote
This content was published on
Swiss political parties spent CHF 700,000 ($840,000) on campaigns in the run-up to the overwhelmingly defeated vote on February 9, according to the Swiss Federal Audit Office.
This content was published on
Swisswool, the largest Swiss wool processor, is not accepting any wool for the first time this spring. For many sheep farmers, the only option is to get rid of the wool.
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.