Court issues prison sentences: Swedish brothers spied for Russia

Court imposes prison sentences
Swedish brothers spied for Russia

Two former Swedish intelligence officials who are related to each other gave dozens of documents to the Russian military intelligence service. Since they are found guilty of serious espionage, they both have to go behind bars.

A former Swedish secret service agent has been sentenced to life imprisonment for spying for the Russian military intelligence service (GRU), and his brother has been sentenced to ten years in prison. A Stockholm court found 42-year-old Peyman Kia, who worked for the Swedish secret service Sapo and military intelligence, and his 35-year-old brother Payam guilty of serious espionage.

Judge Mans Wigen said Peyman Kia abused his position as an intelligence officer to help Russia, which poses “the greatest threat to Sweden”. The brothers, who are Swedish citizens of Iranian origin, “collectively and collusively, illegally and for the benefit of Russia and the GRU, acquired, transmitted and disclosed information which, if disclosed to a foreign power, could compromise Sweden’s security.” it was said.

The court found Peyman Kia guilty of obtaining around 90 classified documents. His brother planned the crime, maintained contacts with the GRU and passed on about 45 documents. The court suspects that the brothers may have received money from Russia.

Much of the trial took place behind closed doors because most of the prosecution’s written evidence is top secret, as is much of the subject matter the testimonies will cover. “I think that’s the worst case we’ve ever had in Sweden,” intelligence expert Joakim von Braun told Swedish television station SVT. The brothers have been in custody since September and November 2021 respectively.

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