The extensive spy case is back in court – this time in the Court of Appeal. The big difference to the district court hearings last fall is that the older brother, Peyman Kia, now says he wants to participate in the investigation — and has admitted parts of the acts he is accused of both beforehand and in court. He admits to spying but denies aggravated espionage.

In questioning SAPO in February, he said that he had been paid to hand over secret documents to Russia and also said that some of the information he has sold has been false and "lost".

"Based on the orders that came, I pulled a robber and made it up completely, but that I thought you could judge as likely, and I was reimbursed for that as well," he said in questioning.

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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

Not required surrender

But regardless of whether a task is correct or not, anyone who obtains information that can harm Sweden can be convicted of espionage. The legislation also does not require such information to be handed over to a foreign power, and that was something the prosecution pointed out during the start of the appeals court hearing on Monday.

"Here it is important to remember that the way the legislation is constructed, it means that even the person who acquires information for the purpose of handing over the information to a foreign power is guilty of espionage, no surrender or disclosure is required for it to be criminal," prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist said in court.

"Whether the information is correct or not, it can entail liability, and that is a circumstance that could possibly be relevant in this case," he said.

Both brothers pleaded in the Court of Appeal for acquittal.

"Goal to reduce the sentence" – hear Peyman Kia's defense attorney in the clip above.