High threat: Switzerland “in the viewfinder of foreign secret services”

The threat of espionage is raised in Switzerland when “the contours of a global confrontation are taking shape” between the United States, Russia and China, worries the Swiss intelligence service on Wednesday.

“The international order is in deep upheaval,” notes in a report the Confederation Intelligence Service (SRC) and “this world confrontation has direct repercussions” on Switzerland. “As the headquarters of many international organizations and innovation center, it (Switzerland) is in the sights of foreign intelligence services” but “the main threats of espionage come from Russia and China which maintain a strong presence” in the Alpine country, underline Swiss spies.

Because unlike the intelligence services of many other states, which mainly spy on members of their own diaspora, China and Russia have enough means to deal with other targets, according to the SRC. Among these are federal authorities, police, companies, international organizations, foreign diplomatic representations, journalists, high schools, universities and other research institutes, details the report.

“The global confrontation touches us directly. Our strategic radar currently identifies 15 simultaneous crisis households – such a level of threat is unprecedented. We are not simple observers – we are directly concerned, ”warns Christian Dussey, director of the SRC, in a press release.

The SRC thus considers that its Russian and Chinese counterparts will continue to carry out in Switzerland “operations directed against Western states, including activities and preparations within the framework of the hybrid war”. “The risk that Switzerland be used to prepare or commit kidnappings, sabotage acts and attacks abroad increases, for example in the context of the hybrid war intensified against Western States,” is alarmed by the Swiss intelligence service.

Increased competition between major powers also makes Switzerland a privileged target “for attempts to bypass sanctions and proliferation”, according to the SRC, which explains that Russia, Iran and North Korea are trying to obtain more and more to obtain double -use goods and technologies for their military and nuclear programs via Switzerland.