Swiss Attorney General: 'Our Hands Are Tied' in Terror Investigations Due to Legal Delays

Swiss Attorney General Stefan Blättler has voiced strong concerns about the significant delays investigators face in accessing crucial evidence, particularly digital devices, in terrorism cases. In an interview with NZZ am Sonntag, Blättler stated, "Our hands are tied" regarding the suspect in the Winterthur terror attack, highlighting that investigators cannot search the suspect's phone and laptop.

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Our hands are tied.

The core issue, Blättler explained, is the prolonged waiting period for court authorization to implement coercive measures. This bureaucratic bottleneck, he warned, poses a "security-relevant" danger, especially in terrorism investigations where time is of the essence. The Attorney General noted that while the Winterthur attack was shocking, the elevated threat level has been evident for years through intelligence reports, making such scenarios not entirely surprising.

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This is absolutely security-relevant.

Blättler also addressed the complex profile of the Winterthur suspect, who was reportedly mentally ill, isolated, and radicalized. He acknowledged that motives are becoming increasingly diffuse, often mixing psychological issues with extremist ideologies. However, he cautioned against premature speculation, emphasizing the need to conduct a thorough investigation to gather facts for the victims and society. The Attorney General also defended the authorities' proactive approach, pointing to over 140 ongoing jihadist terror cases as evidence that they are not ignoring the threat, despite the emergence of new radical scenes.

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I don't believe that in a liberal society you can prevent such acts 100 percent.

When questioned about the radical scene that formed around a mosque in Winterthur after 2010, Blättler dismissed claims of naivety, noting the mosque has since been closed. He assured that authorities are vigilant in monitoring areas where radical elements might emerge. The interview underscores the challenges Swiss authorities face in balancing legal procedures with the urgent need for swift action in combating terrorism.

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We are investigating over 140 cases of jihadist terror. You can see from that alone that we are by no means closing our eyes, but are investigating very proactively and precisely.