Swiss MP's immunity waived for AI-generated deepfake video of political opponent
Swiss MP Andreas Glarner created and shared an AI-generated deepfake video in 2023 that falsely depicted opposition politician Sibel Arslan endorsing his party's policies. After her complaint, parliamentary commissions officially waived Glarner's immunity on 27 June 2025, enabling criminal investigation for identity misuse.
What happened
SVP-Nationalrat Andreas Glarner created and shared an AI-generated deepfake video during the 2023 election campaign. In the video, Basler Grünen-Nationalrätin Sibel Arslan was falsely depicted advocating for SVP policies and the deportation of immigrants.
Arslan filed a complaint against Glarner for identity misuse. The Immunitätskommission des Nationalrats recommended waiving Glarner's parliamentary immunity in May 2025. On 27 June 2025, the Rechtskommission des Ständerats confirmed the decision with a 9 to 2 vote, definitively lifting his immunity and authorizing the Staatsanwaltschaft Muri-Bremgarten AG to investigate.
Reported impact
Arslan's identity and reputation were misused in campaign material without her consent. The deepfake video falsely attributed statements to her that she did not make.
Index analysis
The case is only the second instance since 2012 in which parliamentary immunity was waived in Switzerland. The decision prioritized criminal investigation over freedom of speech in the electoral context, despite Glarner's argument that the decision was politically motivated.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.