Two Swedish brothers had been convicted Thursday by a Swedish district courtroom of spying for Russia’s international navy intelligence company, in line with media studies.
The brothers handed about 100 categorised paperwork from Sweden’s safety and intelligence service to Russia’s intelligence company, GRU, mentioned to the decision by the Stockholm district courtroom.
The secret recordsdata had been accessed by the older brother whereas he labored for Sweden’s safety service and navy intelligence (SAPO), mentioned broadcaster SVT.
“It is beyond reasonable doubt that the brothers, jointly and in consultation, without authorization and in order to reach Russia and the GRU, acquired, forwarded and disclosed information whose disclosure to a foreign power could entail but for Sweden’s security,” the courtroom wrote within the judgment.
Peyman Kia, 42, was sentenced to life for aggravated espionage and unauthorized place with a secret mission. Payam Kia, 35, was given 9 years and 10 months for aggravated espionage.
The function of the crimes was to “enrich oneself,” mentioned senior decide Mans Wigen.
Wigen mentioned the older brother’s espionage falls into “the most grave category” as a result of he was absolutely conscious of the injury it could trigger and “he has obtained, transferred and disclosed information to Russia, which constitutes the largest threat to Sweden’s security.”
The brothers had been arrested in September 2021 and charged with working to move info to Russia between Sept. 28, 2011 and Sept. 20, 2021.
Defense legal professionals informed the courtroom that their purchasers have denied any wrongdoing.
The case is among the most damaging examples of espionage in Sweden’s historical past, primarily as a result of the 2 males collected a listing of the entire staff for SAPO.
Sweden’s largest spy scandal occurred in the course of the Cold War when safety officer Stig Bergling, who was employed by SAPO and the armed forces, offered secret info to the Soviet Union.
Bergling was sentenced in 1979 to life on comparable costs however managed to flee from jail. He has by no means been caught.
