The terrorist threat in Switzerland is growing: What to expect next?

The threat of terrorist attacks has increased significantly in Switzerland since the beginning of this year, according to Christian Dussi, director of the Federal Intelligence Service (FIS). He said the reason for this was the activation of the Islamic State (ISIS), which began a new campaign aimed at organising attacks in Europe. Dussi noted that the group had not previously taken such actions for some time, but now the situation has changed. Increased terrorist activity fuelled by social media has given a new impetus to the movement, which is particularly worrying.

Christian Dussi emphasised that the greatest threat of terrorist attacks in Switzerland is posed by so-called ‘lone wolves’ - individuals inspired by jihadist ideas and willing to commit acts of violence alone. As an example, he cited an incident in Zurich in March when a 15-year-old boy carried out a knife attack motivated by anti-Semitic beliefs. The young man recorded a video in which he claimed to be acting on behalf of ISIS. Dussie also noted that while the threat of jihadist terrorism is on the rise, extremism on both the right and left has remained stagnant, showing little change.

Dussi noted that since the beginning of 2024, there have been about 30 arrests related to Islamist threats in Europe, more than the number of arrests in all of 2023. Switzerland is also facing the problem, with three teenagers detained in the cantons of Schaffhausen and Thurgau in April on suspicion of terrorist activity. According to Dussi, many young people radicalise to gain attention on social media, which makes them more popular. In other cases, psychological problems influence radicalisation.

International cooperation and cyber threats

To counter this threat, the Swiss Federal Intelligence Service (SIC) actively monitors the internet, co-operating with foreign intelligence services. Christian Dussi noted that this cooperation, which began after the 11 September 2001 attacks in the US, is working exceptionally well. Nearly 20,000 pieces of information are exchanged annually between the SIC and other intelligence services. Dussi emphasised that such international cooperation is vital, especially given the staffing problems in his agency, which has fewer officers than the Lausanne Metropolitan Police.

Dussi's agency has been understaffed since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, negotiations are now underway with the Federal Ministry of Defence to expand the staff. Speaking about the conflict in Ukraine, Dussi emphasised that it has moved into the stage of hybrid warfare, which combines espionage, cyber attacks, disinformation, sabotage and illegal arms transfers.

Moreover, the problem is exacerbated by attempts to acquire technologies, spare parts and components that could be useful in military operations, especially those subject to sanctions against Moscow. Switzerland faces this threat both directly and indirectly. Operations are carried out on a daily basis to prevent Switzerland from being used as a base from which foreign intelligence services could act against our interests, emphasises the head of the SIC.