Advertisement

Swiss top cop suspended over love affair

AFP
AFP - [email protected]
Swiss top cop suspended over love affair

Switzerland's top policeman was suspended from his duties this week over a love affair, as authorities found that his ex-partner, a woman of Russian origin, could have posed a risk to his work.

Advertisement

According to a federal administrative tribunal, Michael Perler, 42, was wrong to have asked officers to do a security check of his companion in 2010 and for taking her with him on a professional trip to Saint Petersburg.

He went to Russia to take part in a conference on the fight against the Russian mafia.

An internal investigation was launched after Swiss media reports last year about Perler taking the young woman with him to Russia.

Federal authorities in their report noted Perler's naivety and irresponsibility. "He only followed his feelings," the report said.

They underlined the sensitive role of a federal police chief given his access to confidential information, including domestic and foreign intelligence.

Perler, who became police chief in 2009, said he broke off with the woman and has appealed the administrative tribunal's decision.

Perler's duties will be carried out temporarily by his deputy, a justice ministry spokesman said.

According to the newspaper Tages Anzeiger, Perler's ex-companion is a longtime resident of Switzerland and has Swiss nationality. She is a ski instructor at Saint Moritz where some of her clients are rich Russians on holiday.

She told the paper her relationship with Perler lasted a year.

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also