The department of Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer did not have Bettwil on its radar (Swiss Press Online 2012, by Vasilije Mustur) - Swiss Press Award

Auf der Homepage der Aargauer Zeitung: aargauerzeitung.ch

Vasilije Mustur

This fall, the Federal Office for Migration decided to house 140 asylum seekers from North Africa in a military facility near Bettwil, Aargau. This decision caused a stir throughout the canton of Aargau. Both the Federal Office for Migration and the Cantonal Council of Aargau were harshly criticized. However, the controversial role of the Federal Ministry of Defense (DDPS) was ignored. The reason: In March 2011, an emergency meeting took place between the Migration Office and the DDPS. The DDPS offered to house asylum seekers in military facilities. Little has happened since then. Therefore, I investigated why the DDPS does not release military facilities and why the evaluation of the facilities takes so long.