Germany Questions Swiss Ambassador Over Espionage Allegations

Foreign Minister Gabriel met ambassador on Tuesday afternoon
Ministry requested meeting in name of German-Swiss friendship

Swiss Ambassador Christine Schraner Burgener, in 2008.
Photographer: AAS, ERLEND/AFP/Getty Images

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By Carolynn Look

May 2, 2017 at 6:40 PM UTC

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Switzerland’s ambassador was hauled into Germany’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday and requested to explain allegations of espionage by a Swiss national.

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel asked that Swiss ambassador Christine Schraner Burgener be invited in the last-minute for talks Tuesday afternoon, during which she was asked to explain the allegations “in the interest of German-Swiss friendship,” according to an email from the foreign ministry.