The attacks perpetrated in Magdeburg (Germany) and New Orleans during the holidays were a tragic reminder of the terrorist threat weighing on Europe and also on Switzerland. “We must prepare for an increase in terrorist activities in Switzerland,” underlines Stefan Blättler, Attorney General of the Confederation, in an interview with “SonntagsZeitung” and “Matin Dimanche”. “We have already reached a historic record: currently, around 120 procedures linked to terrorism are underway with us, which corresponds to double the number of cases compared to 2022,” he laments.
These procedures mainly concern terrorist propaganda on the internet, money paid to terrorist organizations and people who go to wage jihad abroad. The latter could one day plan attacks themselves if they are not stopped by investigations, warns Stefan Blättler. Recent interventions by the Federal Prosecutor’s Office (MPC) would have effectively prevented such planned attacks in our country.
If the majority of cases handled by the MPC concern jihadism, Stefan Blättler also notes the need to monitor far-left and far-right movements. And he fears the infiltration of Switzerland by foreign criminal organizations, like the gangs operating in Belgian or Swedish suburbs, carrying out racketeering and deadly shootings in the street. Investigations into these networks are complex and lengthy and require close international cooperation, he said.
Lack of staff to cope
The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office is faced with another challenge: the shortage of personnel, which impacts the speed and efficiency of investigations. Hence the placing on hold of numerous cases, particularly in the area of organized crime, as Stefan Blättler laments: “Federal judicial police officers are particularly needed.”
He also wants the simplification of procedures and the shortening of data blocking periods, as well as the delegation of certain matters to the cantons. This could further help to streamline the work of investigators.
