Spying investigation needs ‘real information’

Lauber says it will be difficult for the investigation to advance without 'real information' from Edward Snowden who is currently in Russia Keystone

The Chief Federal Prosecutor, Michael Lauber, is playing down expectations into a recently opened investigation into US spying in Switzerland. In an interview with a Sunday newspaper, he said he needed “real information”.

“In relation to Edward Snowden it will be very difficult to obtain information from Russia,” Lauber told the Zentralschweiz am Sonntag newspaper. “Without real information, I cannot do very much.”

The cabinet approved a request on Friday from the Federal Prosecutor’s Office to open criminal proceedings into alleged spying on Swiss soil by foreign secret services.

In June and October this year The Guardian newspaper and Der Spiegel magazine published documents from former National Security Agency (NSA) whistleblower Edward Snowden, claiming to reveal the extent of US spying in Switzerland.

“The merit of Mr Snowden is ultimately that we know that all these things went on,” Lauber added. “We shouldn’t believe that it’s not still going on though.”

The main issue for Lauber is how to deal with the issue of security, when people are so dependent on computers and other communication tools, and therefore vulnerable.

“When we talk about important matters, that should only be done in person and not over the telephone,” said Lauber.