A man has been convicted of attempted espionage after trying to pass classified information to Russia. At the same time, questions are being raised about how a person with a serious mental disorder was able to gain access to highly classified information.
A 34-year-old man has been convicted of attempted espionage after trying to pass on classified information to the Russian security service.
The man, who previously worked for the Swedish Armed Forces, is said to have attempted to contact both the Russian FSB and the GRU. Among other things, he is said to have sought Russian citizenship in exchange and, according to reports, received a so-called ”green card” from the Russian Ministry of the Interior.
In addition, SÄPO was able to determine the man’s location in Moscow during his stay there using BANK-ID location tracking.
He was also convicted of two counts of harassment after following a security guard at FRA on his way between home and work.
Suffers from a serious mental disorder
The District Court finds that the man suffers from a serious mental disorder and therefore sentences him to forensic psychiatric care with a special review for release. He has consistently denied the charges.
Prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist welcomes the ruling.
– Espionage is a very difficult crime to investigate. But I can say that the district court has fully understood the evidence presented in the case, and I am satisfied with the district court’s assessment., he says.
Serious Concerns About Security Checks
At the same time, the ruling raises questions. How could a person who, according to the court, suffers from a serious mental disorder have been hired by the Armed Forces and granted access to highly classified information?
It is alarming that someone with such serious problems was able to get so far into the system. This points to possible shortcomings in the security screening and ongoing monitoring of individuals who handle sensitive information.
Whether the person is politically inconvenient is, of course, a question that comes up. ?
Isn't this an old case? I feel like I've read about it before.