The Swedish Security Service (SEPO) has arrested a Swedish diplomat on suspicion of espionage. The news was reported by state broadcaster SVT and confirmed by Reuters, BTA reports.
SEPO said the arrest took place within the past few days in the Stockholm area, but declined to provide further details. “It is true that we have a case of suspected espionage. There is a detainee“, service spokeswoman Karin Lutz confirmed to Reuters.
According to SVT, the arrested person is a diplomat with international experience, sent on missions to a number of Swedish embassies around the world. The case has been taken over by the National Security Division of the Public Prosecutor's Office.
Justice Minister Gunnar Strömer confirmed that the government had been informed of the case and stressed that there were "reasonable grounds" for suspicion. This is the second most serious legal category for bringing charges in the Swedish legal system. "The investigation is ongoing and I do not want to comment before it is concluded," Strömer added in a statement to SVT.
The suspect's appointed public defender, Anton Strand, declined to comment on the case.
In recent years, Sweden has reported an increased risk of espionage activity from both countries such as Russia, China and Iran, as well as non-state actors, including through hybrid threats and economic espionage.
In March this year, SEPO warned that foreign powers were using increasingly sophisticated methods to destabilize Sweden and Europe, including cyberattacks, disinformation and intelligence operations.