Intelligence services data thief found guilty

An IT specialist has been given a suspended prison sentence of 20 months for trying to sell data he stole from the Federal Intelligence Service (FIS). Prosecutors had demanded a five year term, saying the 48-year-old had endangered Swiss security domestically and abroad as well as FIS employees, their partners and sources. The judge at the Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona agreed with the gravity of the offence which "could have had serious consequences." But a lesser prison sentence was handed down, suspended for three years. The defence team said their client had committed the act to fight back against bullying at FIS and that he was currently receiving psychological treatment in Italy. The defendent was found guilty of attempted violation of official secrecy and political intelligence. The latter is defined in law as acting illegally in the interest of a foreign state or individual and against the interests of Switzerland. In May 2012, the man stole a hard ...