Latest news with #AntonStrand
NDTV
18-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
High-Ranking Swedish Diplomat, Questioned Over Spying Charge, Found Dead
A high-ranking Swedish diplomat who was recently detained and questioned on suspicion of espionage has died, his lawyer confirmed on Friday. The diplomat, whose identity has not been disclosed, had been held by Sweden's security service, SAPO, from Sunday until his release on Wednesday, though he remained under investigation. "I heard the tragic news this morning and my thoughts go out to his family," the diplomat's lawyer, Anton Strand, told Reuters. He also revealed that the diplomat had denied any wrongdoing and filed a complaint against the police over their handling of the case. According to Mr Strand, the diplomat had also sought medical help after his release from custody. Police confirmed to a Swedish daily that an investigation into the death has been opened, but said that "there is no suspicion a crime has been committed." The diplomat, believed to be in his 50s, had recently returned to his home in central Stockholm after an extended period abroad. Public broadcaster SVT reported that SAPO was investigating a possible link between the diplomat and the sudden resignation of Sweden's national security adviser, Tobias Thyberg, who quit just hours after taking office last week. Sensitive images of Mr Thyberg from the dating app Grindr had been anonymously leaked to the government shortly before his exit. Images shown on Swedish television revealed that the door to the diplomat's apartment had been forcibly opened at the time of his arrest. The diplomat had filed a report alleging use of excessive force during the arrest, though SAPO maintained the arrest had been peaceful. Mr Strand confirmed to the BBC, "I have ensured his formal report about abuse during the arrest has arrived at the special investigations unit. An investigation has started regarding this." Prosecutor Per Lindqvist called the death "very regrettable," adding that the preliminary investigation into suspected espionage was not yet complete. Sweden's Foreign Ministry issued a statement confirming the death but declined to provide further details, citing concern for the family. "We can regrettably confirm that an employee of the foreign service has passed away," the ministry said, as per The Independent. Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said the day had been "difficult" and her thoughts were with the diplomat's family, friends, and colleagues. Former Foreign Minister Carl Bildt described the "tragically deceased ambassador" as "extremely gifted and competent."
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
High-Ranking Diplomat Found Dead Days After Being Arrested on Suspicion of Spying
A high-ranking diplomat has died after being arrested by the Swedish intelligence service on suspicion of spying The man was taken in for questioning on Sunday, May 11, and released on Wednesday, May 14, though he was still under suspicion The man's cause of death has not been released, but police said the circumstances surrounding his death are not suspiciousA high-ranking Swedish diplomat was found dead after being questioned by Swedish authorities on suspicion of spying. The diplomat, whose identity has not been released, was arrested by Sweden's intelligence service on Sunday, May 11, and released on Wednesday, May 14, according to the BBC. The official denied any wrongdoing, though he was still under suspicion, per the outlet. The man reportedly sought medical treatment after his release from custody, and also submitted a report claiming that excessive force was used during his arrest. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. In a statement to the BBC, the man's lawyer, Anton Strand, said: "I have ensured his formal report about abuse during the arrest has arrived to the special investigations unit. An investigation has started regarding this." PEOPLE reached out to Strand for comment on Saturday, May 17, but did not receive an immediate response. Images of the man's home released on Swedish TV appeared to show that the front door had been forced open during his arrest, though the Swedish intelligence service maintains that the arrest was peaceful, according to the BBC. Police said the circumstances surrounding the diplomat's death are not currently being treated as suspicious, per the outlet. His cause of death has not been released. Maria Malmer Stenergard, Sweden's Foreign Minister, said it was a 'heavy day' after hearing 'the sad message that a colleague has passed away' in a statement to TT, the country's national news service, per the Sweden Herald. 'My thoughts are with the colleague's family and colleagues,' Stenergard added. Read the original article on People
New York Post
17-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Swedish diplomat found dead after being questioned on suspicion of spying, his lawyer says
A Swedish diplomat who was recently questioned by police on suspicion of espionage has died, the man's lawyer said on Friday. Sweden's SAPO security service had detained the man on Sunday and kept him for questioning until Wednesday, when he was released, although he remained subject to investigation, the country's prosecution service has said. 'I heard the tragic news this morning and my thoughts go to his family,' his lawyer, Anton Strand, told Reuters. The Swedish diplomat was detained on Sunday and kept for questioning until Wednesday, when he was released. REUTERS Strand declined to comment on the cause of the man's death. Police told daily Svenska Dagbladet they had opened an investigation into the death, but 'there is no suspicion a crime has been committed.' The man had denied any wrongdoing and had made a complaint against the police over the handling of the case, Strand said. He also sought medical help after his release from custody. Public broadcaster SVT has reported that the diplomat had served at several Swedish embassies and that SAPO was investigating a potential connection to the resignation of the government's national security adviser last week. Lawyer Anton Strand attends the trial of two brothers suspected of spying in Sweden for Russian intelligence on Nov. 25, 2022. via REUTERS Sweden's foreign ministry confirmed that one of its employees had died but declined to comment further. 'We can regrettably confirm that an employee of the foreign service has passed away,' the ministry said in a statement to Reuters. 'Out of concern for the relatives we will refrain from giving further detail.'
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Mystery as top Swedish diplomat is found dead after being questioned over spy allegations
A top Swedish diplomat has been found dead after being arrested on suspicion of espionage. Sweden 's SAPO security service had detained the man on Sunday and kept him for questioning until Wednesday, when he was released, although he remained subject to investigation, the country's prosecution service said. The crimes were reportedly committed between May 1 and May 11 this month. They would not, however, confirm whether the diplomat who died was the same man they arrested. 'We have seen this information that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that an employee has died,' SAPO spokesperson Johan Wikström said. 'We cannot confirm that this is the person who was previously arrested and suspected of espionage.' His lawyer Anton Strand paid tribute to his client but declined to comment on the cause of the man's death. 'I cannot go into any detail about the investigation. There has been a gag order regarding the interrogations that have been held,' he added. However, he noted that the diplomat went to the hospital as soon as he was released, and subsequently filed a police report against the force for misconduct and assault. Minister of Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard told Swedish outlet Aftonbladet: 'I have been reached by the sad news that an employee at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has passed away' Strand vowed to 'closely follow' the report on the wishes of the diplomat's relatives. Public broadcaster SVT has reported that the diplomat had served at several Swedish embassies and that SAPO was investigating a potential connection to the resignation of the government's national security adviser last week. Tobias Thyberg resigned hours after being unveiled in his role due to 'images of a sensitive nature', according to Swedish media. Minister of Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard told Swedish outlet Aftonbladet: 'I have been reached by the sad news that an employee at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has passed away. 'My thoughts are with the employee's family, friends and colleagues.' Police spokesman Daniel Wikdahl said his force had opened a probe into the man's death but did 'not suspect any crime'. 'We do not need to suspect any crime to open an investigation, we do that when someone dies outside the hospital,' he added. Sweden's foreign ministry confirmed that one of its employees had died but declined to comment further. 'We can regrettably confirm that an employee of the foreign service has passed away,' they told Reuters.
The Independent
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Swedish diplomat found dead after being arrested on suspicion of spying
A veteran Swedish diplomat recently arrested on suspicion of espionage has died days after being released from police custody, his lawyer has revealed. Sweden 's Sapo security service detained the man, who has not been named, on Sunday and kept him for questioning until Wednesday. He was released the same day, subject to investigation the country's prosecution service has said. Police told Swedish outlet Svenska Dagbladet they had now opened an investigation into his death, but 'there is no suspicion a crime has been committed'. 'I heard the tragic news this morning and my thoughts go to his family,' his lawyer, Anton Strand, told Reuters. The diplomat had denied any wrongdoing and had made a complaint against the police over the handling of the case, Mr Strand said. He also sought medical help after his release from custody. Mr Strand added that 'the relatives also want me to closely follow the police report about assault and misconduct that their relative has already filed'. Public broadcaster SVT has reported that the diplomat had served at several Swedish embassies and that Sapo was investigating a potential connection to the resignation of the government's national security adviser, Tobias Thyberg, last week. Mr Thyberg left his role after just a day, following sensitive images of him from a dating app being leaked to the government and media. Sweden's foreign ministry confirmed that one of its employees had died but declined to comment further. 'We can regrettably confirm that an employee of the foreign service has passed away,' the ministry said in a statement. 'Out of concern for the relatives we will refrain from giving further detail.' A spokesperson for the Swedish security services said they could not name the person in question. 'I cannot go into any detail about the investigation,' the spokesperson added. 'There has been a gag order regarding the interrogations that have happened.'
