The public prosecutor’s office has filed a request to lift the immunity of UDC national councilor Andreas Glarner. He is the subject of criminal proceedings for a racist tweet following knife attacks in Germany.
Before the federal elections in the autumn of 2023, Andreas Glarner (AG) published on X (Twitter at the time) and Instagram a doctored video of the Basel national councilor of the Greens Sibel Arslan (BS). With the help of artificial intelligence, the right-wing slogan had been put into the mouth of his colleague by the national councilor of the UDCwho spoke to them in a voice very close to his own. The fake Arslan asked voters to enter Andreas Glarner’s name on the list twice.
The sign that it is not a montage was visible in very small letters, at the bottom left. Sibel Arslan received a supervisory measure, Glarner had to remove the sequel from the networks, the Basel civil court ordered him to pay 3,842.50 francs: 1,500 francs for legal costs, 2,342.50 francs for the court costs of Sibel Arslan’s lawyer.
“The game was worth it”
Andreas Glarner (UDC), in January in the Tamedia newspapers.
However, the legal dispute did not end there: on January 12, the Basel Green filed a criminal complaint against Glarner – this time accusing him of identity theft. Since then, the affair has made no progress – until the shocking information is published online on November 5 Parliament website.
Investigation by the Berne public prosecutor’s office
“24.195 The case of the Parliament: the immunity of the national councilor Andreas Glarner. Request for a raise,” we can read there. It must be remembered that the public prosecutor must request that Glarner’s relative immunity be lifted in order to start proceedings against him. In fact, immunity protects parliamentarians in some cases if the potentially punishable act is directly related to their official function.
Andreas Glarner was born in 1962 and is an elected official of the UDC from Aargau. He became a millionaire by selling his ventilation systems trading company in 2006. In 2021, he founded a company active in the
Question on the Berne Public Prosecutor’s Office: Information officer Christof Scheurer confirms that the Bern-Mittelland Regional Public Prosecutor’s Office has filed a request to raise immunity. Which, however, has nothing to do with the complaint of national councilor Sibel Arslan. Shortly afterwards, we contacted the main person in question by telephone and Andreas Glarner confirmed that criminal proceedings were underway against him.
Tweet after knife attack in Germany
He was exposed anonymously for a tweet criticizing Islam that he wrote after the stabbing attacks in Mannheim and Solingen, Germany. But Glarner explains to us that he is currently traveling and the corresponding documents are in the office, so he is unable to give more details. Basically, he would have questioned welcoming members of a religious community who carry out knife attacks.
Shouldn’t we slowly stop a religion whose members are fulfilling their demands for headscarves, special rights, caliphates, minarets, prayer callers, Sharia courts, etc. through explosive attacks, attacks on Christmas markets and knife attacks on innocent people. .
— Andreas Glarner (@andreas_glarner) June 2, 2024
“Shouldn’t we start putting the brakes on a religion whose members impose their demands on veils, special privileges, caliphates, minarets, muezzins, sharia courts, etc., through terrorist attacks? innocent citizens…”
When asked, the Bernese Public Prosecutor’s Office should now specify the offenses for which the Aargau parliamentarian is the subject of an investigation. Responsible for providing information to the National Council’s immunity committee, Nadia Bürgy (Legal Affairs Committee) is not speaking at the moment. She recommends a press release for November 18.
Translated and adapted by Valentine Zenker
Convict marks a historic return to the White House
The Office of the Public Prosecutor of the Federation opened two procedures after fires that occurred this summer in Geneva, one at the Algerian Mission to the UN and the other at the Consulate General of France. Files are opened against unknown persons, especially in the case of deliberate fire.
The fire started at the Algerian Mission on the night of Tuesday 13 August. 20 minutes then stated that the fire started in the kitchen and that there were no injuries. The second fire happened on Thursday 15 August in the Consulate General of France. According to the French consul Clément Leclerc, who was quoted by the RTSthe fire that broke out in the middle of the night only caused surface damage.
Interview Transcript
Editor: Welcome to Time.news, where we dissect pivotal issues making waves across the globe. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Maria Schulz, a political analyst and expert on social media’s impact on political discourse. Dr. Schulz, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Schulz: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. The recent developments surrounding Swiss politician Andreas Glarner have stirred quite a conversation. He is facing criminal proceedings for what many are calling a racist tweet inciting backlash after recent knife attacks in Germany. Can you explain the context that led to this situation?
Dr. Schulz: Absolutely. Glarner’s tweet came after tragic events in Germany, specifically knife attacks that raised questions about safety and integration, particularly concerning the Muslim community. By juxtaposing these attacks with his critical views on Islam, he opened a floodgate of controversy, highlighting a bigger issue of how societal fears can influence political rhetoric—especially on social media platforms.
Editor: Indeed, Glarner used artificial intelligence to create a doctored video of fellow parliamentarian Sibel Arslan. This not only raises ethical concerns but marks a significant moment in how technology is being wielded in politics. What are your thoughts on this?
Dr. Schulz: This situation underscores the growing concern regarding misinformation and manipulation in political communication. Using AI to create seemingly genuine content poses a severe threat to public trust in information. It can blur the lines between reality and fabrication, making it harder for the public to discern facts from misleading narratives, particularly in an election season.
Editor: You bring up an important point about public trust. Glarner’s video included a disclaimer that was almost impossible to see. How does this affect accountability in political communications?
Dr. Schulz: The visibility of disclaimers is critical. If they are hidden or written in fine print, it undermines the entire purpose of transparency. Politicians must be held accountable for how they present information. This incident could set a precedent—intentionally misleading voters can erode trust not only in the politician but in the democratic process as a whole.
Editor: Following the controversial tweet and the subsequent legal challenges, the public prosecutor’s office has filed to lift Glarner’s immunity. What does this mean for parliamentary members and their accountability?
Dr. Schulz: Lifting immunity is crucial for maintaining checks and balances within government. It signals that no one, not even a parliamentarian, is above the law—especially when their actions may incite harm or propagate hate speech. This could serve as a warning to other officials about the consequences of reckless use of social media and hate speech.
Editor: As we approach the federal elections in the autumn of 2023, how do you see this situation affecting the political landscape in Switzerland?
Dr. Schulz: It will likely polarize opinions further. Glarner’s supporters may rally around the narrative of freedom of speech and stand firm against the state’s intervention. Conversely, opponents may use this incident to highlight the risks of populism and divisive rhetoric. Ultimately, it could energize both sides: those who champion responsible political discourse and those who defend aggressive and inflammatory campaigns.
Editor: Lastly, Dr. Schulz, with incidents like this becoming more frequent globally, what can be done to mitigate the spread of harmful rhetoric and misinformation online?
Dr. Schulz: A multifaceted approach is necessary. It includes rigorous fact-checking, digital literacy programs to educate the public on discerning reliable sources, and stricter regulations around political advertisements and misinformation. Social media companies must also take responsibility for curbing harmful content while ensuring that genuine political discourse remains unhindered. Education, transparency, and accountability are key.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Schulz, for your insights into this pressing issue. It’s always fascinating to explore the intersections of technology, politics, and social responsibility.
Dr. Schulz: Thank you for having me. It’s vital that we continue these conversations to foster a healthier political environment.
Editor: And thank you, our viewers, for tuning in. Stay informed and engaged as we continue to navigate these crucial developments in our society.