Sweden: trial of an alleged informant accused of industrial espionage for the benefit of Russia
One in three diplomats at the Russian embassy in Sweden is a spy, according to a Swedish intelligence official.
Here, the same embassy in Stockholm, February 8, 2021. AFP - JANERIK HENRIKSSON
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
An unusual trial in Sweden, in any case unprecedented since 2003, opens Thursday August 26 for three days.
A Swedish consultant for the automotive industry is accused of being a spy for Moscow.
He is accused of having sold industrial secrets to representatives of the Russian embassy in Stockholm.
A case that will not improve relations between the two countries, in the midst of diplomatic cold.
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With our correspondent in Stockholm,
Frédéric Faux
The entire transaction, which took place in February 2019 at a restaurant in Stockholm, was filmed.
We see a consultant from the Swedish automotive industry, who works for manufacturers Scania and Volvo, exchanging information with a Russian agent.
A spy job that he would have carried out for at least two years, and for which he has been on trial since Thursday, August 26.
The last espionage trial in Sweden dates back to 2003, which does not mean that the country was not affected.
According to the Swedish secret services, the targets are no longer only military, but also civil and above all economic.
Sweden would also be spied on by several countries, even if one, Russia, is
particularly singled out
.
According to this same representative of the Swedish services, who spoke before the trial, one diplomat in three of the Russian embassy in Stockholm would not have a job corresponding to his official attribution… and would in fact be a spy.
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