Federal and cantonal police join forces to combat French gangs; Swiss universities vow to protect themselves against ‘academic espionage’; and more news in our Tuesday roundup.
Government is supporting cantonal police in the fight against French gangs
Arms and car thefts committed in Switzerland by criminals from France have increased significantly, according to federal police (Fedpol).
Combatting them requires joint efforts of federal and cantonal police forces, with the former conducting interventions and investigations, and the latter coordinating cases of arms and car thefts within newly created task forces.
The targeted criminals are mostly French minors of North African origin, a spokesperson for the Aargau cantonal police told Swiss German-language television SRF.
The offenders are recruited via social media and travel to Switzerland from neighbouring French regions using public transportation. They receive instructions on where to burglarise via Snapchat before quickly fleeing the country in stolen luxury cars.
READ ALSO: Calls in Switzerland to boost border controls with France after spike in crime
Swiss universities vow to protect themselves against ‘academic espionage’
It is no secret that Geneva is an international espionage hub, but this activity is reportedly rife within Switzerland’s top universities as well.
According to Günther Dissertori, rector of the ETH Zurich, his and other Swiss universities are becoming targets for certain states seeking access to cutting-edge technologies.
Therefore, since 2023, the ETH has systematically screened applications from countries such as Russia, China, Iran, and Afghanistan, which are subject to UN or Swiss sanctions.
To harmonise these efforts, ‘Swissuniversities’ umbrella group is calling for each university to create a service dedicated exclusively to knowledge security.
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More than two-thirds of the ordered deportations have been carried out
Two-thirds – 69 percent – of the 2,446 foreigners subject to deportation orders in 2024 have left Switzerland, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) announced on Monday.
Approximately 40 percent of those who left Switzerland came from EU or EFTA member states (Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein), and the rest were from a third country.
The main countries represented were Albania (247 people), Romania (190), and Algeria (136).
READ ALSO: The reasons foreign residents can be ordered to leave Switzerland
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Travel news: Oman Air will operate year-round flights between Zurich and Muscat in 2026
As part of its summer schedule, the carrier will serve the route three times a week from May to September 2026.
These nonstop flights will operate on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays
This service will complement the existing winter schedule, which includes up to six flights per week between November and April.
It will offer passengers from Switzerland not only a direct access to Oman, but also to key destinations in the Far East, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent via Oman Air’s Muscat hub.
If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch with us at news@thelocal.ch
