When “Security” Becomes Censorship: The Baud Case and European Sanctions Against “Hybrid Threats”

The article examines the Jacques Baud case in light of the European Union’s CFSP regime on so-called “hybrid threats.” It reconstructs the legal framework of the EU decisions, presents the media precedents, and compares Baud with other sanctioned figures, including Xavier Moreau and Nathalie Yamb, to show how the mechanism can target Swiss citizens and European residents for public commentary and critical opinions. Its main conclusion is that the Baud case is not just about one individual sanction, but about a broader precedent: the EU uses administrative restrictive measures with major effects on freedom of movement, assets, and professional activity, while Switzerland does not clearly intervene to protect its own citizens. The article therefore argues that Swiss neutrality risks becoming merely formal unless it is matched by an active defense of sovereignty and freedom of expression. Follow-up / update Following the publication of the original article, on October 2026 the European Union further extended the sanctions and updated the regime, confirming that the Baud case did not remain confined to December 2025 but evolved into a consolidated precedent that can be reused over time.

ITEN