The indictment against Anna Lindstedt concerns crimes against the security of the kingdom and this is a unique case in Swedish history. Military historian Thomas Roth believes that there were no similar events in Sweden.

- It is historically interesting as there are no parallels back in time. The diplomat Gustaf Mauritz Armfelt was convicted of trying to overthrow the king in the late 18th century. In Anna Lindstedt's case, it is about being suspected of having acted on her own without a clearance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, says Thomas Roth.

Violation of national security

Anna Lindstedt denies crime but is charged with unauthorized negotiation with foreign power, which is included in Chapter 19. The Criminal Code contains other crimes against the state's security such as high treason, gross espionage and unfaithfulness when negotiating with foreign power.

The two Swedish major spies Stig Wennerström and Stig Bergling were not diplomats but belonged to the defense force.

Retired Swedish diplomat Rolf Gauffin was arrested in 2001 along with his wife at New Delhi airport in India after finding cash and securities for SEK 11 million in their hand luggage. Photo: AP

Retired diplomat Rolf Gauffin was sentenced in 2001 in an Indian currency smuggling court. He was caught at New Delhi's airport with SEK 11 million in his hand luggage. Gauffin traveled on a diplomatic passport despite leaving his position as ambassador. He was sentenced to six months in Indian prison before being released against half a million in bail.

Criticism of German-friendliness

Arvid G. Richert was a Swedish envoy in Germany during World War II. He was severely criticized after the war for his overly German-friendly attitude. Things did not get any better when it was discovered that one of his female employees had submitted information to Gestapo. After a few years without work, so-called availability, he still became governor of Älvsborg.

Set an example

- Abolishing a diplomatic assignment can be a way of stating examples to mark dissatisfaction and order. A diplomat only has immunity while serving abroad but must follow Swedish laws, says Thomas Roth, first curator at the Army Museum.

Military historian Thomas Roth believes that the charge against Anna Lindstedt is unique in Swedish history. Photo: SVT News / Ingrid Thörnqvist

Gustaf Mauritz Armfelt survived the death penalty despite being sentenced to the death penalty. He returned to service after Gustav IV Adolf's accession to the throne in 1799 and subsequently also created a new career in the service of the Russian tsar.