Guy Mettan maintains good relations with Russia.Image: KEYSTONE
Martin Pfister and the federal intelligence service warn of the threat of terrorism in Switzerland and a convicted fraudster provided the idea for the post office’s Giacometti stamp – the Sunday news.
March 8, 2026, 8:31 a.mMarch 8, 2026, 8:31 a.m
Iran war: Pfister warns of terrorist threat to Switzerland
Defense Minister Martin Pfister criticized the belligerent states in the conflict with Iran in the “SonntagsZeitung”. “The Americans and Israel attacked Iran from the air. “Like Iran, you have violated international law,” he told the “SonntagsZeitung”. Pfister did not rule out the possibility that Europe would be drawn into the war. The danger is not limited to classic military warfare, but to asymmetrical warfare in the sense of terrorist attacks. “There is a risk that terrorist attacks will occur in Switzerland. “The war could also trigger a wave of refugees that will also reach us,” Pfister continued in the interview. He does not believe that Switzerland is directly threatened by Iranian long-range missiles. However, he does not rule out collateral damage. Pfister therefore wants to take a comprehensive look at security. In addition to the army, the police and intelligence services also played an important role.
More on Pfister’s statements:
NDB also warns of Islamist terror in Switzerland
The Federal Intelligence Service (NDB) warned of Iranian retaliatory actions in “SonntagsBlick”. “The NDB assesses it as likely that the Iranian services, their proxies or criminal networks mandated by Iran are carrying out actions in Europe and Switzerland,” NDB spokesman Christoph Gnägi told the newspaper. According to the spokesman, “asymmetrical means” are possible, including terrorist attacks against Israeli, Jewish or American targets. In addition to acts of sabotage, violent demonstrations, disinformation campaigns or cyber attacks could also be considered. Danger does not only threaten from the regime itself: allied groups of the mullahs such as Hezbollah in Lebanon or Hamas in the Gaza Strip were mentioned as possible actors. In a current situation report, the NDB writes that Hezbollah has a network of people in the Shiite-Lebanese diaspora in Switzerland who could support the organization.
Strikes are becoming more popular in Swiss unions
According to the “NZZ am Sonntag”, labor law professor Roger Rudolph has noticed an increase in strikes in Switzerland. The sound also becomes harder. “You don’t necessarily only see this with effective strike measures, but also in advance, when combat measures are threatened during negotiations on collective bargaining agreements or campaigns are started in the media at the same time,” Rudolph told the newspaper. As an example, the newspaper mentions recent strikes in the public sector, for example by bus drivers in Winterthur. The Association of Public Service Personnel (VPOD) is particularly active, stating in a strategy paper available to the newspaper that one must “learn again to organize broad actions, struggles and strikes”. “Where strategically necessary, conflicts are resolved and escalated,” it continues. According to the newspaper, employers criticized the unions’ increasingly aggressive campaigns.
Switzerland has already ordered trucks for delayed Patriots
According to the “NZZ am Sonntag”, Switzerland has already procured a fleet of trucks for the ordered Patriot air defense system. Research by the newspaper showed that 62 six- and eight-wheeled trucks and four trailers had been ordered. According to Armasuisse, the fleet costs a double-digit million amount, the first prototypes have already been delivered and further vehicles are “in production”. Federal Councilor Martin Pfister only admitted on Friday that Switzerland would have to wait another half a decade for the Patriot systems. Switzerland is probably the only country that wants to install the US system on Iveco vehicles. Security politicians criticized this special solution. “We have to stop relying on expensive special solutions,” said FDP National Councilor Maja Riniker to the newspaper. According to Armasuisse, the trucks could also be used for other purposes, but specific adjustments would have to be removed from some of them.
SVPler receives honorary doctorate in Russia
According to “Le Matin Dimanche”, the Geneva SVP Grand Councilor Guy Mettan received an honorary doctorate from Herzen University in St. Petersburg in Russia at the beginning of February. Mettan is running for the office of President of the Geneva Grand Council in 2027. Unlike the Russian Order of Friendship, which he received from the Russian Federation in 2017, this time he did not have to obtain approval from Parliament, as academic honorary degrees do not fall under this rule. However, the trip caused criticism outside the SVP. According to the newspaper, discussions should now take place in the parties to clarify whether it is appropriate for Mettan to be elected first vice-president in two months, which usually leads to the election to the head of parliament in 2027.
Giacometti anniversary stamp was designed by permanent fraudster
According to “SonntagsBlick”, the idea behind the Giacometti stamp launched by the post office was a convicted fraudster. The stamp for the 125th birthday of the Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti shows his famous sculpture “Homme qui marche”. According to the newspaper, an Engadine artist and curator was behind the design, who was convicted by the Federal Court in mid-January of commercial fraudulent abuse. The verdict includes a two-year prison sentence, one year of which is unconditional, and a five-year expulsion from the country. According to the verdict, she damaged a member of the Bahraini royal family by at least 325,000 francs after using his credit card for numerous private expenses. According to the newspaper, the Post said it had no knowledge of the conviction when it chose the person who came up with the idea. The federal company also emphasized that those who provided ideas did not have a mandate from the post office and were not financially compensated.
Valais wine trial delays Crans Montana investigation
According to the “SonntagsZeitung”, the trial against the alleged wine fraudster Sébastien Bonvin is delaying the investigation into the Crans-Montana fire. The responsible public prosecutor Catherine Seppey is leading both the investigation into the fire and the fraud trial in Sitten, which concerns luxury wines from the company Private Finance Partners SA that allegedly do not exist or have not been delivered. The internationally acclaimed case concerns investments in supposedly rare wines worth up to 36,000 francs per bottle. According to the report, there were also delays because Bonvin or his defense attorney were temporarily ill and she was also the lawyer for the bar operator Jessica Moretti. Victim advocate Sébastien Fanti criticized the lack of resources in the Valais justice system. “A part of Sébastien Bonvin’s proceedings will expire, and I think that this will also apply to most of the facts in Crans-Montana,” he told the “SonntagsZeitung”.
Swiss US ambassador speaks of good relations with the Trump administration
The Swiss ambassador to the USA, Ralf Heckner, declared his restraint in the trade conflict in an interview with “NZZ am Sonntag”. “As ambassador in Washington, I did important work in the background, brokered contacts and opened doors,” Heckner told the newspaper. Other ambassadors also sought direct contact with the Trump administration rather than the public. He emphasized that relations between Switzerland and the USA are intact. “I wouldn’t completely rule out the possibility that one day we will look back positively on the Trump administration’s economic policy – also from Switzerland’s perspective.” With a view to the Middle East conflict, he also spoke out in favor of Switzerland’s mandate as a protective power for the USA in Iran. «Protective power mandates are part of our good offices. The most important thing is the one that the United States has entrusted to us,” the ambassador is quoted as saying.
(sda/con)