He himself describes it as having put all the cards on the table - and in the new interrogations, Peyman Kia emphasizes that he is telling the truth without hesitation. According to his version, he has been spying on behalf of Russia, but not to the extent and for the period of time for which he is convicted.

"What has happened has happened. I sincerely wish it hadn't happened," Peyman Kia writes in the letter to his brother.

In the letter, he also writes that he hopes that they will receive a much more lenient sentence from the Court of Appeal:

"This is, of course, a reason that strongly suggests that honesty is the only way forward."

Parts of the letter masked – considered "governing"

The younger brother Payam Kia was not allowed to read the letter in full. From the interrogations of the brothers, it appears that the prosecutor decided to mask certain parts, as they were considered to control the story too much.

The younger brother questions in the interrogation why the letter was masked, and makes no further comment about the investigation or the letter.

Explaining the silence

In the previous interrogations with the police, Peyman Kia has been very reticent. The fact that he did not tell the whole truth is justified by the fact that he hoped for an acquittal in the district court.

"But it has turned out that in this case, by not participating, we have ended up in a position that is significantly worse than if we tell it like it is."

Sentenced to life

Prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist has previously told SVT Nyheter that he sees it as Peyman Kia "admitting parts of the deeds". Defense attorney Anton Strand, for his part, has said Peyman Kia admitted certain circumstances.

Peyman Kia was sentenced to life in prison for aggravated espionage by the Stockholm District Court. His brother Payam was convicted of the same crime but to a more lenient sentence, imprisonment for nine years and ten months.

Javascript is turned off

Javascript must be turned on to play video

Learn more about browser support

The brothers were convicted against their denial of spying on Sweden for ten years. Now the older brother admits to having had contact with Russian intelligence. Photo: SVT