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Art. 269 Requirements
1 The public prosecutor may arrange for post and telecommunications to be monitored if: - a.
- there is a strong suspicion that an offence listed in paragraph 2 has been committed;
- b.
- the seriousness of the offence justifies surveillance; and
- c.
- investigative activities carried out so far have been unsuccessful or the enquiries would otherwise have no prospect of success or be made unreasonably complicated.
2 Surveillance may be ordered in the investigation of the offences under the following Articles: - a.82
- SCC: Articles 111–113, 115, 118 paragraph 2, 122, 124, 127, 129, 135, 138–140, 143, 144 paragraph 3, 144bis number 1 paragraph 2 and number 2 paragraph 2, 146–148, 156, 157 number 2, 158 number 1 paragraph 3 and number 2, 160, 163 number 1, 180, 181, 182–185, 187, 188 number 1, 189–191, 192 paragraph 1, 195–197, 220, 221 paragraphs 1 and 2, 223 number 1, 224 paragraph 1, 226, 227 number 1 paragraph 1, 228 number 1 paragraph 1, 230bis, 231 number 1, 232 number 1, 233 number 1, 234 paragraph 1, 237 number 1, 238 paragraph 1, 240 paragraph 1, 242, 244, 251 number 1, 258, 259 paragraph 1, 260bis–260sexies, 261bis, 264–267, 271, 272 number 2, 273, 274 number 1 paragraph 2, 285, 301, 303 number 1, 305, 305bis number 2, 310, 312, 314, 317 number 1, 319, 322ter, 322quater and 322septies;
- b.83
- Foreign Nationals and Integration Act84 of 16 December 200585: Articles 116 paragraph 3 and 118 paragraph 3;
- c.
- Federal Act of 22 June 200186 on the Hague Convention on Adoption and on Measures to Protect Children in International Adoption Cases: Article 24;
- d.87
- War Material Act of 13 December 199688: Articles 33 paragraph 2 and 34–35b;
- e.
- Nuclear Energy Act of 21 March 200389: Articles 88 paragraphs 1 and 2, 89 paragraphs 1 and 2 and 90 paragraph 1;
- f.90
- Narcotics Act of 3 October 195191: Articles 19 number 1 second sentence and number 2, and 20 number 1 second sentence;
- g.
- Environmental Protection Act of 7 October 198392: Article 60 paragraph 1 letters g–i as well as m and o;
- h.
- Goods Control Act of 13 December 199693: Article 14 paragraph 2;
- i.94
- Sport Promotion Act of 17 June 201195: Article 22 paragraphs 2 and 25a paragraph 3;
- j.96
- Financial Market Infrastructure Act of 19 June 201597: Articles 154 and 155;
- k.98
- Weapons Act of 20 June 199799: Article 33 paragraph 3;
- l.100
- Medicinal Products Act of 15 December 2000101: Article 86 paragraphs 2 and 3;
- m.102
- Gambling Act of 29 September 2017103: Article 130 paragraph 2 for the offences under Article 130 paragraph 1 letter a;
- n.104
- Intelligence Service Act of 25 September 2015105: Article 74 paragraph 4.
3 If the adjudication an offence subject to military jurisdiction is assigned to the jurisdiction of the civil courts, the surveillance of post and telecommunications may also be ordered in the investigation of the offences under Article 70 paragraph 2 of the Military Criminal Procedure Code of 23 March 1979106. 82 Amended by Annex No II 3 of the FedD of 25 Sept. 2020 on the Approval and Implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism and its Additional Protocol and the Strengthening of Criminal Justice Instruments for combating Terrorism and Organised Crime, in force since 1 July 2021 (AS 2021 360; BBl 2018 6427). 83 Amended by Annex No II 7 of the Criminal Justice Authorities Act of 19 March 2010, in force since 1 Jan. 2011 (AS 2010 3267; BBl 2008 8125). 84 Title amended on 1 Jan. 2019 in application of Art. 12 para. 2 of the Publications Act of 18 June 2004 (SR 170.512). This change has been made throughout the text. 85 SR 142.20 86 SR 211.221.31 87 Amended by No II of the FA of 16 March 2012, in force since 1 Feb. 2013 (AS 2013 295; BBl 20115905). 88 SR 514.51 89 SR 732.1 90 Correction by the Federal Assembly Drafting Committee dated 19 Sept. 2014, published on 4 Oct. 2014 (AS 2011 4487). 91 SR 812.121 92 SR 814.01 93 SR 946.202 94 Inserted by Art. 34 No 2 of the Sport Promotion Act of 17 June 2011 (AS 2012 3953; BBl 2009 8189). Amended by Annex No II 2 of the Gambling Act of 29 Sept. 2017, in force since 1 Jan. 2019 (AS 2018 5103; BBl 2015 8387). 95 SR 415.0 96 Inserted by No II 4 of the FA of 28 Sept. 2012 (AS 2013 1103; BBl 2011 6873). Amended by Annex No 4 of the Financial Market Infrastructure Act of 19 June 2015, in force since 1 Jan. 2016 (AS 2015 5339; BBl 2014 7483). 97 SR 958.1 98 Inserted by Annex No II 1 of the FA of 18 March 2016 on the Surveillance of Postal and Telecommunications Traffic, in force since 1 March 2018 (AS 2018 117; BBl 2013 2683). 99 SR 514.54 100 Inserted by Annex No 1 of the FD of 29 Sept. 2017 (Medicrime Convention), in force since 1 Jan. 2019 (AS 2018 4771; BBl 2017 3135). 101 SR 812.21 102 Inserted by Annex No II 2 of the Gambling Act of 29 Sept. 2017, in force since 1 Jan. 2019 (AS 2018 5103; BBl 2015 8387). 103 SR 935.51 104 Inserted by Annex No II 3 of the FedD of 25 Sept. 2020 on the Approval and Implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism and its Additional Protocol and the Strengthening of Criminal Justice Instruments for combating Terrorism and Organised Crime, in force since 1 July 2021 (AS 2021 360; BBl 2018 6427). 105 SR 121 106 SR 322.1
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Art. 269bis Use of special technical devices for the surveillance of telecommunications 107
1 The public prosecutor may order the use of special technical devices for the surveillance of telecommunications in order to listen to or record conversations, identify a person or property or determine their location if: - a.
- the requirements of Article 269 are met;
- b.
- previous telecommunications surveillance measures under Article 269 have been unsuccessful or surveillance with these measures would be futile or disproportionately difficult;
- c.
- the authorisation required under telecommunications law has been obtained to use these devices at the time of use.
2 The public prosecutor shall keep statistics on the use of these forms of surveillance. The Federal Council shall regulate the details. 107 Inserted by Annex No II 1 of the FA of 18 March 2016 on the Surveillance of Postal and Telecommunications Traffic, in force since 1 March 2018 (AS 2018 117; BBl 2013 2683).
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Art. 269ter Use of special software for the surveillance of telecommunications 108
1 The public prosecutor may order the introduction of special software into a data processing system in order to intercept and recover the content of communications and telecommunications metadata in unencrypted form provided: - a.
- the conditions of Article 269 paragraphs 1 and 3 are met;
- b.
- the proceedings relate to an offence listed in Article 286 paragraph 2;
- c.
- previous telecommunications surveillance measures under Article 269 have been unsuccessful or surveillance with these measures would be futile or disproportionately difficult.
2 In the surveillance order, the public prosecutor shall specify: - a.
- the desired data types; and
- b.
- the non-public spaces that may have to be entered in order to introduce special software into the relevant data processing system.
3 Data not covered by paragraph that is collected when using such software must be destroyed immediately. No use may be made of information obtained from such data. 4 The public prosecutor shall keep statistics on these forms of surveillance. The Federal Council shall regulate the details. 108 Inserted by Annex No II 1 of the FA of 18 March 2016 on the Surveillance of Postal and Telecommunications Traffic, in force since 1 March 2018 (AS 2018 117; BBl 2013 2683).
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Art. 269quater Requirements applicable to special software for the surveillance of telecommunications 109
1 The only special software that may be used is that which records the surveillance unalterably and without interruption. The record forms part of the case files. 2 The recovery of data from the data processing system under surveillance to the relevant criminal justice authority must take place securely. 3 The criminal justice authority shall ensure that the source code can be checked in order to verify that the software has only legally permitted functions. 109 Inserted by Annex No II 1 of the FA of 18 March 2016 on the Surveillance of Postal and Telecommunications Traffic, in force since 1 March 2018 (AS 2018 117; BBl 2013 2683).
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Art. 270 Subject matter of surveillance
The post and telecommunications of the following persons may be monitored:110 - a.
- the accused;
- b.
- third parties if there is reason to believe based on specific information that:
- 1.111
- the accused uses the postal address or the telecommunications service of the third party, or
- 2.
- the third party receives certain communications on behalf of the accused or passes on communications from the accused to another person.
110 Amended by Annex No II 1 of the FA of 18 March 2016 on the Surveillance of Postal and Telecommunications Traffic, in force since 1 March 2018 (AS 2018 117; BBl 2013 2683). 111 Amended by Annex No II 1 of the FA of 18 March 2016 on the Surveillance of Postal and Telecommunications Traffic, in force since 1 March 2018 (AS 2018 117; BBl 2013 2683).
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Art. 271 Preservation of professional confidentiality 112
1 When monitoring a person belonging to one of the professions mentioned in Articles 170–173, the court must ensure that information that is relevant to the enquiries or the reason why this person is being monitored is separated from information that is relevant, in order to guarantee that no professional secrets come to the knowledge of the criminal justice authority. The separated data must be destroyed immediately; it may not be evaluated. 2 Information under paragraph 1 need not be separated beforehand if: - a.
- there is a strong suspicion that the person subject to professional confidentiality is guilty of an offence; and
- b.
- there are specific reasons justifying the direct interception of communications.
3 In the surveillance of other persons, as soon as it is established that they have links with a person mentioned in Articles 170–173, information on communication with the person must be separated in accordance with paragraph 1. Information in respect of which a person mentioned in Articles 170–173 may refuse to testify must be removed from the case documents and destroyed immediately; it may not be evaluated. 112 Amended by Annex No II 1 of the FA of 18 March 2016 on the Surveillance of Postal and Telecommunications Traffic, in force since 1 March 2018 (AS 2018 117; BBl 2013 2683).
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Art. 272 Duty to obtain authorisation and general authorisation
1 The surveillance of post and telecommunications requires the authorisation of the compulsory measures court. 2 If enquiries reveal that the person under surveillance is changing his or her telecommunications service regularly, the compulsory measures court may by way of exception authorise the surveillance of all identified services used by the person under surveillance for telecommunications so that authorisation is not required in each individual case (general authorisation).113 The public prosecutor shall submit a report to the compulsory measures court for approval every month and on conclusion of the surveillance. 3 If during the surveillance of a service in terms of a general authorisation, measures are required to protect professional confidentiality and such measures are not mentioned in the general authorisation, an application for authorisation for the individual surveillance operation concerned must be submitted to the compulsory measures court.114 113 Amended by Annex No II 1 of the FA of 18 March 2016 on the Surveillance of Postal and Telecommunications Traffic, in force since 1 March 2018 (AS 2018 117; BBl 2013 2683). 114 Amended by Annex No II 1 of the FA of 18 March 2016 on the Surveillance of Postal and Telecommunications Traffic, in force since 1 March 2018 (AS 2018 117; BBl 2013 2683).
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Art. 273 Subscriber information, location identification and technical transmission features 115
1 If there is a strong suspicion that a felony or misdemeanour or a contravention in terms of Article 179septies SCC116 has been committed, and if the requirements of Article 269 paragraph 1 letters b and c of this Code are met, the public prosecutor may request metadata relating to telecommunications in accordance with Article 8 letter b of the Federal Act of 18 March 2016117 on the Surveillance of Postal and Telecommunications Traffic (SPTA) and metadata relating to post in accordance with Article 19 paragraph 1 letter b SPTA relating to the person under surveillance. 2 The order requires the approval of the compulsory measures court. 3 The information mentioned in paragraph 1 may be requested irrespective of the duration of surveillance and for the 6 months prior to the date of the request.
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Art. 274 Authorisation procedure
1 The public prosecutor shall submit the following documents to the compulsory measures court within 24 hours of surveillance or the release of information being ordered: - a.
- the order;
- b.
- a statement of the reasons and the case documents relevant for authorisation.
2 The compulsory measures court shall decide and provide a brief statement of the reasons within 5 days of the surveillance or the release of information being ordered. It may grant authorisation subject to a time limit or other conditions, or request further information or investigations. 3 The compulsory measures court shall give notice of the decision immediately to the public prosecutor and to the Post and Telecommunications Surveillance Bureau in terms of Article 3 SPTA118.119 4 The authorisation shall expressly state: - a.
- which measures must be taken to protect professional confidentiality;
- b.
- whether non-public spaces may be entered in order to introduce special software into the relevant data processing system.120
5 The compulsory measures court shall grant authorisation for a maximum of 3 months. The authorisation may be extended on one or more occasions for a maximum of 3 months at a time. If an extension is required, the public prosecutor shall file an application for the extension, stating the reasons therefor, before expiry of the current authorisation. 118 SR 780.1 119 Amended by Annex No II 1 of the FA of 18 March 2016 on the Surveillance of Postal and Telecommunications Traffic, in force since 1 March 2018 (AS 2018 117; BBl 2013 2683). 120 Amended by Annex No II 1 of the FA of 18 March 2016 on the Surveillance of Postal and Telecommunications Traffic, in force since 1 March 2018 (AS 2018 117; BBl 2013 2683).
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Art. 275 Conclusion of surveillance
1 The public prosecutor shall stop surveillance immediately if: - a.
- the requirements are no longer fulfilled; or
- b.
- the authorisation or its extension is refused.
2 In cases under paragraph 1 letter a, the public prosecutor shall notify the compulsory measures court that surveillance has been concluded.
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Art. 276 Results not required
1 Records of authorised surveillance operations that are not required for criminal proceedings shall be stored separately from the case documents and destroyed immediately on conclusion of the proceedings. 2 Postal items may be retained for as long as this is necessary for the criminal proceedings; they must be released to the addressee as soon as the status of the proceedings permits.
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Art. 277 Use of the results of unauthorised surveillance operations
1 Documents and data carriers obtained in unauthorised surveillance activities must be destroyed immediately. Postal items must be delivered to the addressee immediately. 2 The results of unauthorised surveillance operations may not be used.
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Art. 278 Accidental finds
1 If in the course of surveillance operations offences other than those specified in the surveillance order come to light, these findings may be used against the accused provided surveillance would have been permitted in the investigation of the offences concerned. 1bis If offences come to light during surveillance operations in terms of Articles 35 and 36 SPTA121, the findings may be used subject to the requirements specified in paragraphs 2 and 3.122 2 Findings relating to offences committed by a person who is not named as a suspect in the surveillance order may be used if the requirements for the surveillance of this person are fulfilled. 3 In cases under paragraphs 1, 1bis and 2, the public prosecutor shall order surveillance immediately and begin the authorisation procedure.123 4 Records that may not be used as accidental finds must be stored separately from the case documents and destroyed on conclusion of the proceedings. 5 Any findings made in a surveillance operation may be used to trace wanted persons. 121 SR 780.1 122 Inserted by Annex No II 7 of the Criminal Justice Authorities Act of 19 March 2010 (AS 2010 3267; BBl 2008 8125). Amended by Annex No II 1 of the FA of 18 March 2016 on the Surveillance of Postal and Telecommunications Traffic, in force since 1 March 2018 (AS 2018 117; BBl 2013 2683). 123 Amended by Annex No II 7 of the Criminal Justice Authorities Act of 19 March 2010, in force since 1 Jan. 2011 (AS 2010 3267; BBl 2008 8125).
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Art. 279 Notice
1 The public prosecutor shall notify the suspect under surveillance and third parties under surveillance in terms of Article 270 letter b of the reason for and form and duration of the surveillance operation on conclusion of the preliminary proceedings at the latest. 2 With the consent of the compulsory measures court, notice may be deferred or dispensed with if: - a.
- the findings are not used as evidence in court proceedings; and
- b.
- deferring or dispensing with notice is necessary to protect overriding public or private interests.
3 Persons whose post or telecommunications have been under surveillance or who have used a postal address or telecommunications service that has been under surveillance may file an objection under Articles 393–397.124 The period for filing the objection begins on receipt of the notice. 124 Amended by Annex No II 1 of the FA of 18 March 2016 on the Surveillance of Postal and Telecommunications Traffic, in force since 1 March 2018 (AS 2018 117; BBl 2013 2683).
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