Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Reuters
Reuters
Politics

Swiss attorney general answers questions ahead of possible impeachment

Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber arrives before an interview by the Judicial Committee of the Swiss Parliament that could lead to his impeachment, after criticism of his handling of an investigation into alleged corruption surrounding football's governing body FIFA, in Bern, Switzerland May 20, 2020. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann

Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber attended a meeting of the parliamentary judicial committee on Wednesday to answer questions about how he handled an investigation into corruption at soccer body FIFA.

Lauber, who was narrowly re-elected for another four-year term last year, has been accused by anti-corruption campaigners of bungling a fraud trial over payments linked to the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

The judicial committee said in a statement earlier in May: "For his part, Michael Lauber denies the form and content of the accusations made against him and accuses the AB-BA of numerous procedural errors, exceeding its authority, and bias, among other things."

Andrea Caroni, President of the Judicial Committee of the Swiss Parliament, addresses a news conference after the interview of Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber that could lead to his impeachment, after criticism of his handling of an investigation into alleged corruption surrounding football's governing body FIFA, in Bern, Switzerland May 20, 2020. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann

The judicial committee will decide on Wednesday whether to press ahead with impeachment proceedings, which would result in a joint meeting of Switzerland's two houses of parliament voting on whether he should keep his job.

If removed, Lauber will be the first Swiss national official to be impeached since the federal state of Switzerland was established in 1848.

Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber arrives before an interview by the Judicial Committee of the Swiss Parliament that could lead to his impeachment, after criticism of his handling of an investigation into alleged corruption surrounding football's governing body FIFA, in Bern, Switzerland May 20, 2020. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann

(Reporting by Arnd Wiegmann, writing by John Revill, editing by Michelle Martin)

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.