In Sweden, a 60-Year-Old Man is Accused of Espionage for Russia
A 60-year-old Russian immigrant, who was arrested last year in Stockholm, Sweden, is being accused of unlawful espionage activities for the benefit of Russia.
This was reported by The Guardian.
The Russian citizen, who has lived in Sweden for over 25 years and acquired Swedish citizenship in 2012, is currently suspected of transmitting sensitive data regarding advanced technologies to Russia, which could potentially be used in military affairs.
"This concerns suspicion of committing a serious crime that could pose a significant threat to the security of Sweden and other countries where Swedish technologies are used, particularly in Russia's war against Ukraine",- stated Daniel Stenling, the head of Swedish Security Police counterintelligence.
According to law enforcement, the 60-year-old Swedish citizen of Russian origin engaged in entrepreneurial activities, the true purpose of which was to facilitate the transfer of "sensitive technologies" to Russia, which could enhance Russia's military capabilities.
Additionally, the Russian individual likely acquired certain technologies from US companies and later, through his intermediary firm, facilitated their transfer to Russia.
"Sweden should not be a platform for foreign states to conduct unlawful espionage activities. The Security Police decisively counteract threats aimed at Sweden's security",- emphasized Swedish law enforcement officer Stenling.
Furthermore, according to him, Russian intelligence services are intensifying their efforts to locate, gain access to, or acquire Swedish high-tech developments. In several instances, the Kremlin attempts to use Sweden as a "transit country for acquiring 'high-level' technologies from other Western countries."
"The Security Police work in the long term and purposefully to reduce the ability of foreign states, in this case Russia, to acquire technologies and knowledge for the development and enhancement of their military potential",- stated Stenling.
Recalling recent events, accusations have been made in the UK against a group of individuals—Orlina Rusieva, Bizera Jambazova, and Katrin Ivanova—who are accused of espionage for the Russian Federation. The suspects held documents of citizenship from the UK, Bulgaria, France, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Slovenia, Greece, and the Czech Republic.
Established in the previous century, the extensive network of Russian agents worldwide has suffered significant setbacks following the start of full-scale invasion in Ukraine. In March 2022 alone, Ukrainian intelligence disclosed the identities of 620 Russian spies in Europe, and in the past 18 months, hundreds of Kremlin agents have been deported from European countries, the majority of whom operated within diplomatic institutions. Russia now increasingly turns to so-called "sleeper cells"—deeply concealed agents who have lived abroad for years, continuing to spy for Russia.