Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber faces impeachment proceedings over his handling of a FIFA corruption probe. This is a first in the history of the federal public prosecutor’s office.
Parliament’s judicial committee on Wednesday held a two-hour hearing with the attorney general to assess whether there are reasonable grounds to suspect he had breached his official duties either deliberately or through gross negligence.
The committee’s head, Andrea Caroni, announced the decision late Wednesday, which was taken with 13 votes in favour and four against. The committee could file a motion to remove Lauber from office, which parliament would vote on in September at the earliest.
Lauber said Wednesday’s meeting with the judicial committee had “gone well.”
The attorney general has come under scrutiny over how his office handled the FIFA corruption investigation and for holding undocumented meetings with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
As punishment, an independent oversight authority, AB-BAExternal link, cut Lauber’s nearly CHF300,000 ($309,000) salary by 8% for one year.
Lauber has made an appeal to the Federal Administrative Court. He alleges that the supervisory authority committed numerous procedural errors, exceeded its competence and was biased.
Last September, parliament re-elected Lauber for a third term despite months of controversy over his handling of the FIFA case.
Most Read Swiss Abroad
More
Thousands of emigrants’ descendants in Argentina demand Swiss citizenship
Should Switzerland take measures to support its struggling industries?
Industrial policies are back in fashion, not only in the United States but also in the EU. Should Switzerland, where various industries are struggling, draw inspiration from such policies?
Several Swiss municipalities and banks hit by cyberattack
This content was published on
Russian hackers attacked the websites of several Swiss municipalities and banks on Tuesday, just as the World Economic Forum (WEF), got under way in Davos.
Music strengthens brain connections in premature babies, Swiss study shows
This content was published on
In premature babies, music strengthens connections in certain areas of the brain, according to a years-long study by the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG).
WEF gives Crystal Award to Beckham, Yamamoto and von Fürstenberg
This content was published on
The World Economic Forum in Davos handed out awards to UNICEF ambassador David Beckham, Japanese architect Riken Yamamoto and women's rights activist Diane von Fürstenberg.
Swiss CEOs betting on a strong domestic market in 2025
This content was published on
Swiss business leaders are optimistic about 2025, despite a world in crisis, says a new survey by Pricewaterhouse Coopers.
This content was published on
Economics Minister Guy Parmelin and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis have welcomed Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang to Bern
Michelle Hunziker to co-present Eurovision Song Contest
This content was published on
Swiss-Italian television moderator Michelle Hunziker will be one of the presenters of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest (ESC), scheduled for May 13-17 in Basel.
Seniors face high public transport costs in Switzerland
This content was published on
Public transport ticket prices for adults in Switzerland are around the European average, according to a study. Swiss senior citizens and business travellers tend to pay more.
This content was published on
The amount of unproductive land in Switzerland has hardly changed in recent decades. Nationwide, it shrank by around 2% between 1985 and 2018.
Rescue teams had hands full at Lauberhorn ski race
This content was published on
From broken bones to heart attacks, the rescue teams had a busy weekend at the Ski World Cup in Wengen, which attracted a record 80,000 fans.
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
Swiss attorney faces possible impeachment over FIFA probe
This content was published on
Michael Lauber could become the first high-ranking national official to be impeached over his handling of a FIFA corruption probe.
This content was published on
Switzerland’s attorney general is facing new calls to resign over accusations that his office botched up a high-profile international football trial.
Swiss attorney general has pay cut for breach of duty
This content was published on
Swiss watchdog accuses Attorney general Michael Lauber of disloyalty and lying in connection with an international football corruption investigation.
Controversial Swiss attorney general wins re-election
This content was published on
Parliament has re-elected the attorney general, Michael Lauber, despite a controversy over his handling of a international corruption probe.
Federal court blocks Lauber’s attempt to rejoin FIFA case
This content was published on
Switzerland’s top court has upheld a previous ruling that Lauber’s closed-door meetings with FIFA’s head had raised the appearance of bias.
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.