The former security chief of the Swiss Air Force was considered a security risk for several years due to financial problems. Measures were only taken in the last year. According to reports, the former “Head of Integral Safety” had uncompleted tax returns, numerous debt enforcement proceedings, and debts in the high five-digit range, offenses that made him vulnerable to bribery due to his security-related function. In May 2022, he was downgraded to an infrastructure employee, and Air Force Chief Peter Merz decreed that he could no longer access sensitive data. The air force’s handling of the security risk has been criticized, and it has been reported that attempts to bribe the former security chief are not known to either the authorities or the Defense Department. Despite the safety risk, he remained employed and was only demoted to an infrastructure employee in May 2022.
Wage garnishment, debt
Ex-air force security chief was considered a security risk for years
Because of financial problems, the former security chief of the Swiss Air Force was considered a security risk for several years. Measures were only taken in the last year.
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The former “Head of Integral Security” was classified as a security risk several years ago.
Swiss Army
He is said to have had massive financial problems: uncompleted tax returns, numerous debt enforcements, a garnishment of wages, debts in the high five-digit range.
20min/Celia Nogler
In May 2022, the ex-security chief was downgraded to an infrastructure employee. Air Force Chief Peter Merz (right) decreed that he could no longer access sensitive data.
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The Defense Department (VBS) reports: “The integral security of the Air Force, the Army and/or the partners at home and abroad was never endangered.” (Picture: DDPS head Viola Amherd)
20min/Matthias Spicher
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The former security chief of the Swiss Air Force was classified as a security risk for years.
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He had numerous financial problems, which may have made him vulnerable to bribery.
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Only a few months after the risk became known, the long-standing employee was dismissed from his position and classified as an employee.
The “Head of Integral Safety” has a major task in the Air Force. He is responsible for the protection of people, material, property and information. Research by SRF now shows that the former holder of this responsible position was himself classified as a security risk last year.
Numerous financial problems
The SRF reviewed publicly available information and documents and spoke to well-informed sources. The employee concerned had had various problems for more than six years: uncompleted tax returns, numerous debt enforcement proceedings, a garnishment of wages, Debts in the high five-digit range. All of these offenses would have made him an attractive target for bribery, partly because of his security-related function.
According to SRF, the long-time employee was appointed head of security in 2018. The Air Force did not carry out a new personal safety check. They trusted that the last regular test was still valid.
“A delicate situation”
The air force’s handling of the security risk has been criticized. The former director of the Swiss Federal Audit Office (SFAO), Michel Huissoud, tells SRF: “Either you do a personal security check – and then it’s much better to do it before you get hired – or you don’t do it. If you do it years too late and the result is not good enough, it is of course a tricky situation. »
While said security chief was in office, was also procurement of fighter jets decided for around six billion dollars. Attempts to bribe the former security chief are not known to either the SRF or the Defense Department (VBS).
Security chief has been demoted
In March 2022, there was a new security check for the then security chief. Despite the safety risk, however, he remained employed. According to the DDPS, he was only downgraded to an infrastructure employee in May 2022. Air Force Chief Peter Merz decreed that he could no longer access sensitive data.
The DDPS adds: “The named person never had access to information classified as ‘secret’ in connection with the evaluation for the new combat aircraft and the new Bodluv system.” The integral security of the air force, the army and/or the partners at home and abroad was never endangered. The person concerned did not comment on SRF.
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The case of the former security chief of the Swiss Air Force highlights the importance of proper background checks for those tasked with protecting national security. Despite having numerous financial problems that could have made him vulnerable to bribery, it took years for measures to be taken to address the risk posed by the ex-security chief. While the Defense Department reports that national security was never endangered, the situation remains concerning. It is imperative that steps are taken to ensure that those responsible for safeguarding the country are held to the highest standards of integrity and security.