Brothers are on trial in Sweden on suspicion of spying for Russia
STOCKHOLM, Nov 25 (Reuters) – A former worker for Sweden’s security police and armed forces went on trial on Friday with his brother, both accused of spying for Russia.
Prosecutors said earlier this month that the indictment alleges the two actions were directed against Sweden’s intelligence and security system.
The men, aged 42 and 35, were arrested last year and have previously denied all charges.
They are suspected of having supplied the Russian intelligence service GRU with classified information for a decade. The older brother is also charged with gross unauthorized handling of secret information, according to the indictment.
Anton Strand, the elder man’s lawyer, said Thursday that his client continues to deny the allegations.
“He has worked in various positions for the Swedish government and has always done his best to do a good job in a very difficult environment,” Strand said.
The other brother’s attorney was not immediately available for comment Thursday.
Sweden, a non-aligned nation for centuries, hopes to soon join the Western military alliance NATO amid growing security concerns following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The trial is expected to take place mostly behind closed doors due to national security concerns. It is expected to last until at least December 12.
In a separate case, Swedish police this week arrested two people suspected of espionage. One is suspected of gross illegal intelligence activities against both Sweden and another country.
The police do not want to say whether the suspects were Swedish or foreign citizens or who they were allegedly spying for.
Reporting by Anna Ringström and Marie Mannes
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