How many people have gone to jihad from Switzerland?

Of these cases, 31 persons are of Swiss citizenship (including 19 with dual citizenship), dozens of women linked to Switzerland, and more than twenty minors under the age of 12.

The terrorist threat in Switzerland remains high, in light of attacks Europe has witnessed in recent months. Modes operandi of these acts confirms the predictions of the Confederacy Information Service (SRC): they are made more often by isolated individuals or small groups who radicalized themselves without necessarily making a trip to a conflict area, sends albinfo.ch.

As part of the prevention of terrorism, the SRC has been conducting the operational recording and prosecution of Swiss cases that have gone to the jihad area since 2001. The SRC deals with these cases in co-ordination with the cantons and relevant authorities and implements preventive measures that fall in its area of competence.

The SRC now publishes the figures of jihad travellers over the period of three months, if there is no significant change in these figures. In May 2013, the SRC reported that it had identified about 20 travelers motivated by jihadide who had travelled to conflict zones from Switzerland since 2001. A year later, in May 2014, this figure had increased to 40, reaching 93 in February 2018, broadcasts albinfo.ch.

The number of travelers motivated by jihadi going or currently in conflict areas from Switzerland has stabilised in 93 cases (the same number as in May 2018). From 2001 to today, there have been 78 departures in Syria and Iraq and 15 in Somalia, Afghanistan and Pakistan. For the first time, the SRC has also moved to the Philippines. While these figures are quantum, it is important to note that some of these travelers are still in the country, 32 people have died (including 26 confirmed deaths), some are in conflict areas, and others are returning to Switzerland. The number of returns is 16 (including 13 confirmed cases).

In these 93 cases, there are 31 persons holding Swiss citizenship (including 19 of dual citizenship). Among the jihad travellers he has identified since 2001, the SRC estimates that dozens of Swiss-related women have travelled to Syria or Iraq and that more than 20 under 12-year-olds are concerned about the problem. Among them, six children have at least one parent who enjoys Swiss citizenship. The SRC does not provide any further information on identity, age, gender, citizenship or the habitat of these people.

Close and Lasting Co-operation Between the Appropriate Authorities

The SRC has seen no new evacuations of jihad travellers to Syria and Iraq since 2016 and estimates that a small number of fighters will likely return to Switzerland alone or accompanied by children. However, like its European neighbours, Switzerland is not spared the problem of returning families who have either been or settled in conflict areas. Co-operation with federal authorities ( Federal Public Ministry, Federal Department of Justice, Migration, Police, Border Guard, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, etc.) and cantonal (The Department of Justice and Police, Cantonal Police, etc).

If adults who have travelled to conflict areas are all subject to criminal procedures, the issue of children is handled case by case and concerns the SRC and all federal and civil cantonal institutions responsible for the fight against radicalisation.

Special Measures: Restricted Conditions to Obey

Since the new Intelligence Act's entry into force on September 1, 2017, the SRC has been able to actively use investigative measures subject to authorisation under strict conditions under the Intelligence Act. As reported in its status report “Switzerland's security, 2018”, the SRC from September 1st to December 31, 2017, launched two operations with anti-terrorism research measures after receiving approval from the Federal Administrative Court (TAF) and the leaders of DDPS, FDFA and DFPJ. Research measures have only been implemented in a manner targeted at more serious threats, as required by the Federal Law for Information. Statistics on the number of research actions subject to authorization issued during 2018 by the SRC will be published in the next status report, released in the spring of 2019.