Aufsichtsbehörde über die Bundesanwaltschaft
AB-BA
Summary
The AB-BA is a 7-member authority elected by the United Federal Assembly (Arts. 23–24 StBOG) to supervise the Office of the Attorney General, which leads federal criminal investigations (terrorism, organised crime, money laundering, etc.) and directs the Federal Criminal Police (fedpol). Three of the seven members must be subject-matter experts and may not be members of any federal court or practising lawyers. The AB-BA can issue general directives to the OAG, demand reports, conduct inspections, and impose disciplinary sanctions including warnings, reprimands, and salary reductions (Art. 29a StBOG). It initiates removal of the Attorney General before the Federal Assembly. It may not issue instructions in individual criminal cases (Art. 26 para. 2). Annual report to the Federal Assembly is required. The body has full access to OAG records and personnel files within its supervisory mandate.
Independence Scorecard
| Appointment | Legislative appointment |
|---|---|
| Term length | 4 years |
| Removal standard | For cause only |
| Budget independence | Legislative line item |
| Subpoena power | Yes |
| Compel testimony | Yes |
| Records access | Full access |
| Public reports required | Yes |
| Pre-publication review | Legislative review |
Statute
- Name
- Strafbehördenorganisationsgesetz (StBOG), Arts. 23–29, and Verordnung der Bundesversammlung über die Organisation und die Aufgaben der Aufsichtsbehörde über die Bundesanwaltschaft
- Citation
- SR 173.71, Arts. 23–29 (in force 1 January 2011); SR 173.712.24
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (Bundesanwaltschaft), which directs federal criminal police investigations under StBOG; covers organisational conduct, personnel decisions, and systemic activity of federal criminal prosecution — does not cover cantonal prosecutors or cantonal police