Number of threats down, but content is worrying
With the lifting of anti-Covid measures, fedpol is currently recording fewer reports of threats than at the height of the health crisis in 2020 and 2021. However, the number of reports remains high compared with the time leading up to the pandemic.
In 2023, fedpol received 290 reports, 238 less than in 2022. This was still a high number. The content of the threats is still a concern, and the tone is particularly virulent. Polarising themes linked to the current political situation in Switzerland and around the world give rise to lively discussions, particularly on social networks. Users debate without restraint, and the topics under discussion reflect the concerns of a section of the population. This can lead to emotional reactions, which regularly result in threats against senior members of the federal government and other officials.
| Number of reports in 2023 | Reports | Actual threats / potential danger to others |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 290 | 62 |
| 2022 | 528 | 68 |
| 2021 | 1 215 | 120 |
| 2020 | 885 | 64 |
| 2019 | 246 | 18 |
Note on statistics: if someone sends several reports on the same day, they are recorded as one report. fedpol, however, evaluates and analyses all reports separately. Since autumn 2022, members of Parliament, government ministers and senior judges have also been able to submit reports using an app created by fedpol, ensuring quick and direct transmission of information to the federal security service. In all cases, fedpol conducts a detailed analysis of the situation.
In 2023, fedpol spoke to potential offenders, issued warnings and filed criminal charges in 62 cases. These measures are taken in the case of insulting or aggressive communications, in order to make the individuals concerned aware that they are potentially committing a criminal offence.
| Security police tasks | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Security assessments for government ministers and senior judges* | 769 | 519 | 465 | 646 | 731 |
| Security measures for foreign diplomatic representations | 370 | 141 | 259 | 420 | 435 |
| Number of crises dealt with** | 18 | 20 | 16 | 16 | 14 |
** Special or extraordinary events dealt with by fedpol’s special police intervention groups
| Foreign visitors entitled to protection under international law | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of visitors | 1 318 | 525 | 506 | 1 057 | 884 |
| Number of personal protection measures | 466 | 241 | 137 | 229 | 234 |
| Number of permits to carry weapons issued to foreign security officers | 1 305 | 662 | 780 | 658 | 644 |
The number of visitors entitled to protection is primarily a political issue. The level of protection depends on the risk assessment for each of these people. In other words, an individual person considered to be at high risk may receive a higher level of protection than a group considered to be at low risk.
| Risk analyses | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threat assessments for visitors protected under international law | 445 | 335 | 210 | 304 | 273 |
| Threat assessments for the protection of government ministers, senior judges and foreign representations | 128 | 288 | 325 | 368 | 422 |
| Situation assessments for federal buildings in Switzerland and abroad*** | 7 | 12 | 18 | 15 | 25 |
The Federal Palace and other federal buildings are at the heart of power in Switzerland, which is why these buildings are regularly targeted. fedpol produces situation and threat assessments for buildings under federal jurisdiction, so that appropriate protective measures can be taken.