2023-08-07 19:11:08
Managing director Brigitte Beck will leave the Ruag MRO Holding group and “reorient herself professionally”, a year after taking the reins of the company specializing in armaments, and after a controversy over the export of Swiss arms.
This resignation comes following the controversy sparked by statements by the leader in the spring of 2023 and linked to Swiss arms exports to Ukraine. The boss had notably criticized, in an interview given in April to the press group CH Media, the policy of Swiss neutrality. The development of the company’s business was also discussed. However, this interview was not published because Ruag threatened CH Media with legal action.
“In an interview with CH Media, Brigitte Beck took a position on various subjects. She did so in a remarkably open manner and even issued clear criticisms of the Federal Council, particularly on the question of Swiss neutrality in the framework of the sanctions against Ukraine. This is exceptional, especially for the head of a company belonging to the Confederation”, indicates an article by CH Media.
In this interview, Brigitte Beck also spoke about the jobs threatened in Switzerland within the framework of the passage of the F-35 planes, details the said article.
Excuses
Following this incident, the board of directors had carried out “research and clarifications”, but the result of the internal investigation had not revealed “a criminal offense or any misdemeanor”, said a statement on Monday. Brigitte Beck also apologized.
“The continuing controversy could only be resolved by a change in management,” the company points out.
“My decision should allow Ruag to focus again on what is really important, namely business,” said Brigitte Beck in the press release.
Christian Priller and Thomas Kipfer will serve in the interim until the position is filled again.
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