The former Swiss ambassador, Thomas Borer, has accused the media of running a campaign to discredit him.
Keystone/Lukas Lehmann
The Federal Prosecutor’s Office has suspended a criminal investigation against a former parliamentarian suspected of corruption over lobbying efforts by Kazakhstan.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch/ug
The decision, which is subject to appeal, was announced by the Neue Zürcher Zeitung newspaper on Tuesday. The justice authorities have refused to give details on the case.
The inquiry was opened in April last year against Christian Miesch, a former representative of the Swiss People’s Party, and a lobbyist – and former Swiss ambassador – Thomas Borer. Both cases were reportedly dropped based on a decision taken earlier this month.
Miesch was suspected of accepting money – CHF4,635 ($4,637) – in return for trying to serve the interests of Kazakhstan in parliament and lost his parliamentary immunity. He has denied any wrongdoing but stepped down in 2015.
Initially, two other parliamentarians were also involved in the case, but they did not have their immunity from prosecution lifted.
The media coverage of the affair has come in for criticism by one of the accused.
More
More
MPs are the biggest lobbyists in Swiss parliament
This content was published on
Parliamentarians are increasingly, and more aggressively, representing particular interests. It’s a cultural change in the legislature.
Bodycams: essential for good law enforcement, or a privacy risk?
Did you ever come across bodycams in your place of residence and if so, how do you think the use of bodycams alter the relationship between the public and (transport) police?
This content was published on
Former Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei has filed a criminal complaint against the Geneva prosecutor for slander.
Swiss energy minister suggests way forward for new nuclear power plants
This content was published on
Swiss Energy Minister Albert Rösti says existing nuclear power plant sites in Switzerland could be used for new nuclear power plants.
This content was published on
Swiss wheelchair racer Catherine Debrunner won the 5,000 metres to bring home Switzerland’s first gold medal at the Paralympics in Paris.
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
Parliamentary immunity lifted in alleged corruption case
This content was published on
A former Swiss parliamentarian has been stripped of his immunity, paving the way for a legal investigation into corruption allegations.
This content was published on
Several recent scandals have highlighted efforts to influence Swiss parliamentarians by the regime of president Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan.
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.