Report: Switzerland Halt Mobile Spy Gear Bound for Iran, Syria

Swiss authorities have intercepted mobile phone surveillance equipment destined for Syria and Iran, an official told Swiss Television.

Juergen Boehler from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) told the German channel's "10 vor 10" program European suppliers had tried to send the goods via Switzerland but customs officials seized them at the border.

Bohler, who is head of industrial product export control, said late Friday the seizures happened in 2010 and again in 2011.

Swiss firms can only sell such material with approval from export authorities.

Rights groups have raised concern over the export of surveillance gear to countries like Syria and Iran which they say are being used against dissidents to track their movements and monitor emails and text messages.

SECO could not be contacted for comment on Saturday.