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Center councilor Andreas Meier (61) was first surprised and then concerned. The reason: Artionis GmbH is located next to the headquarters of the Swiss Air Force on Bolligenstrasse in Bern. The company describes itself as the official Russian visa application center and works closely with the Russian embassy in processing visa applications.
“That worries me a bit,” security politician Meier told Blick. Of course, he could not estimate the specific risk, “but we have to assume that Artionis represents Russian interests,” he says. “We cannot be naive about that.”
“Sensitive data can fall into the wrong hands”
Modern monitoring and listening options are well developed today. “There is a risk that sensitive data will fall into the wrong hands,” the security politician fears.
In response to Meier’s request, the Ministry of Defense (VBS) of federal councilor and party colleague Viola Amherd (61) remains curt: the army and the Federal Intelligence Service (NDB) are aware of the facts described. Both authorities would take all necessary measures to detect, prevent and combat prohibited espionage activities.
The impression is created that the necessary sensitivity is lacking
National councilor Meier was alerted to the potentially risky neighborhood by someone “who is familiar with the intelligence services and is friendly to Switzerland,” he says. He doesn’t want to reveal more. However, the note could indicate that the situation should not be taken lightly.
For Land Alderman Meier, the answer from the VBS is “rather poor”. “What else can they say other than that they have everything under control?” he says. “For me the situation is still quite problematic.” The impression is created that the necessary sensitivity to the new threat situation in Europe is still lacking. “In any case, I would feel more comfortable if such delicate constellations were avoided.”
The intelligence services assess the threat as high
After all, Russian espionage activities have increased since the outbreak of war in Ukraine. Switzerland is considered a ‘safe haven’ for Russian agents. Because: While Germany, France and Italy have now thrown out many diplomats, the Federal Council has remained very cautious.
In its latest situation report, the NDB assesses the threat of Russian and Chinese espionage as high. In figures: 221 people are diplomatically accredited to the Russian missions. The NDB assumes that more than one in three of them works as spies, that is, 70 to 80 people.
The cyber attack on the IT company Xplain, which is increasingly becoming a disaster for the federal government, also shows how great the danger is.
The Foreign Policy Committee of the National Council is therefore calling for a tougher approach. If Parliament agrees, the Federal Council must consistently expel all foreigners from the country if, as spies, they endanger Switzerland’s security or their role as a host country and cannot be prosecuted because of their diplomatic status. (dba)
Source:Blick
I am Liam Livingstone and I work in a news website. My main job is to write articles for the 24 Instant News. My specialty is covering politics and current affairs, which I’m passionate about. I have worked in this field for more than 5 years now and it’s been an amazing journey. With each passing day, my knowledge increases as well as my experience of the world we live in today.
