Executive Summary

Federal Prosecutor Stefan Blättler gave an extensive interview on April 4, 2026, in the SRF broadcast "Samstagsrundschau" on the priorities of the Swiss Federal Prosecutor's Office. Last year, the authority opened 363 criminal investigations – a record. The Federal Prosecutor's Office is struggling with three central challenges: rapidly growing cybercrime, protracted international mutual legal assistance proceedings, and delays caused by sealing procedures for digital data. In the area of economic crime, Blättler calls for new instruments such as Deferred Prosecution Agreements to involve companies in the fight against corruption.

People

Topics

  • Cybercrime and digital investigations
  • International mutual legal assistance
  • Economic crime and anti-corruption
  • Criminal procedure code and proceedings duration

Clarus Lead

Swiss criminal justice is under pressure: while cybercrime grows exponentially – Blättler cites the country's modern infrastructure as an attraction for digital attackers – law enforcement fails due to structural obstacles. Particularly critical: international mutual legal assistance proceedings sometimes take years because Switzerland protects defendants' rights more strongly than other countries. With this, the federal prosecutor signals to the political leadership an urgent need for reform to maintain the competitiveness of Swiss criminal justice.

Detailed Summary

The Federal Prosecutor's Office identifies cybercrime as a growing criminal offense. Blättler explains: the Internet is not the crime itself, but the means – real economic crimes such as theft, fraud, or extortion are committed through digital channels. Switzerland is particularly attractive to cybercriminals because of its modern infrastructure, its prosperity, and its role as a financial center. A concrete success: the Federal Prosecutor's Office shut down a ransomware group in 2025 that locked data using encryption software. Two of three perpetrators were arrested – made possible by specialized investigators with digital expertise.

Blättler warns of staffing shortages. Parliament decided in 2025 to increase the Federal Criminal Police by 10–20 positions per year (up to 200 new positions by 2030). The federal prosecutor emphasizes, however: the modern investigator needs specialized IT training. Such profiles are difficult to recruit, but he sees opportunities among digitally-savvy university graduates.

A structural problem: Swiss mutual legal assistance proceedings are significantly slower than in other countries. The reason is the principle of party publicity – defendants can appeal mutual legal assistance requests in two instances, with the Federal Court deciding. This leads to delays of several years, while international partners act more quickly. Consequence: Switzerland is sometimes bypassed in joint investigations – such as against drug cartels or terrorist networks. Blättler advocates for an international pact to automate proceedings, but acknowledges that this currently ranks low on the global priority list.

A second procedural obstacle is sealing procedures for digital data. Historically, sealing was meant to protect privileged communication from unauthorized access (attorney correspondence, confession). With large volumes of data, this becomes a time trap: compulsory measure courts must sift through terabytes of data – average procedure durations of two years, in extreme cases 5.5 years. The 2024 reform of the Criminal Procedure Code did reduce the grounds for sealing, but has so far had little effect. Blättler sees a need for digitalization here.

On economic crime: Blättler calls for Deferred Prosecution Agreements (DPA) – out-of-court settlements with companies in cases of money laundering or corruption. Models are the USA, England, France. The model: the company admits organizational deficiencies, pays reparations, is placed under monitoring. If compliance is maintained, the proceedings are dropped – the company remains unpunished. Advantage: it is not disqualified in international tender markets. Blättler rejects criticism of a "buyout" appearance: DPAs must be approved by the court, transparency is mandatory, and the individuals involved (managers, executives) must face ordinary criminal proceedings.

Case numbers are growing: 140 open terrorism cases (mainly IS and Al Qaeda), which Blättler attributes to the international situation. Last year, the Federal Prosecutor's Office brought more cases to court than ever before; in the first three months of 2026, four indictments followed in Bellinzona. Blättler emphasizes: legally binding judgments in terrorism cases create tangible security.

Key Statements

  • The Swiss Federal Prosecutor's Office opened a record 363 criminal investigations in 2025, particularly in cyber-, economic, and terrorism-related crime.
  • Cybercrime is growing exponentially; specialized digital investigators are scarce and difficult to recruit, although Parliament approved additional positions.
  • International mutual legal assistance proceedings take years longer in Switzerland than in other countries – a competitive disadvantage in cross-border investigations.
  • Sealing procedures for large volumes of digital data delay proceedings by two to five years; the 2024 Criminal Procedure Code reform has so far provided little help.
  • Blättler calls for Deferred Prosecution Agreements to incentivize companies on compliance, with transparency and individual criminal prosecution.

Critical Questions

1. Data Quality and Source Validity: How reliable is the figure of 363 opened criminal investigations as an indicator of actual crime trends? Could the increase also be due to improved reporting discipline or notification rates rather than a genuine increase in offenses?

2. Conflicts of Interest in DPA Demand: Blättler advocates for Deferred Prosecution Agreements; at the same time, the Federal Prosecutor's Office seeks political support for increased resources. Could DPAs (which terminate criminal proceedings) reduce the incentive to argue for a larger budget?

3. Causality in Cybercrime: Blättler explains the increase in cyber-attacks with Switzerland's modern infrastructure. But: are not also global cyber-attack trends (ransomware-as-a-service, AI-supported phishing) the primary driver, independent of Swiss prosperity?

4. Feasibility of Mutual Legal Assistance Reform: An "international pact" for automated mutual legal assistance would deprive Swiss defendants of their right to appeal. What would a constitutionally viable alternative look like that balances speed and protection?

5. Success Rate in Ransomware: Blättler cites the ransomware group with two of three perpetrators arrested as a success. What is the completion rate of cyber cases with conviction? Is "two of three" typical or exceptional?

6. Digitalization of Sealing Procedures: Blättler proposes to digitalize sealing. Would AI-supported automatic filtering of privileged communication not create new data protection risks?

7. Resource Allocation Between Priorities: The Federal Prosecutor's Office prioritizes terrorism and international corruption. How are limited resources allocated between these and cybercrime – and according to what criteria?

8. Regulatory Pressure from Outside: Blättler mentions pressure from outside (USA, international partners). How independent does the Swiss Federal Prosecutor's Office remain if it is dependent on external recognition for resources or reform issues?

Further News

  • Artemis II and Moon Mission: Blättler briefly comments on the US moon mission Artemis II – personally he would prefer to follow it on television.
  • Cultural Relaxation: The federal prosecutor prefers concerts, operas, and time with family to recover after intense working weeks.
  • Language Proficiency: Blättler speaks French, Italian, and English; privately he uses Italian.

Source Directory

Primary Source: SRF 1 – Die Samstagsrundschau with Klaus Ammann: Interview with Federal Prosecutor Stefan Blättler, April 4, 2026

Verification Status: ✓ 2026-04-08

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: 2026-04-08