Swedish Diplomat and Kurdish Politician Under Investigation for Espionage

A Swedish diplomat and a Kurdish politician are under investigation for potentially disclosing classified information, raising national security concerns in Sweden.

Key Points

  • • Swedish diplomat and Kurdish politician suspected of unauthorized disclosure of classified information.
  • • Investigation initiated after a report on October 8, 2024; information could endanger national security.
  • • The diplomat has a background in international posts, while the Kurdish politician is linked to a Syrian organization.
  • • Allegations do not involve a separate espionage case of another diplomat who recently deceased.

A significant national security investigation is currently underway in Sweden, centering on a Swedish diplomat and a Kurdish political representative suspected of unauthorized disclosure of classified information. This inquiry has raised alarms regarding potential risks posed to Sweden’s security.

The Swedish Security Police received a report on October 8, 2024, alleging that the two individuals, identified as having connections to secret information possibly beneficial to foreign powers, engaged in activities that could jeopardize state security. According to the prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist, the offenses are believed to have occurred from October 2022 to May 2025, across multiple locations including Stockholm.

Details reveal that the Swedish diplomat, who has several international assignments—particularly in the Middle East—was arrested about a week ago but was quickly released pending further investigation. His lawyer, Conny Cedermark, stated that the diplomat denies all allegations against him. In a simultaneous operation, a Kurdish politician, related to a political organization in Syria, was also detained in Sweden; however, he has declined to make any comments regarding the charges.

Prosecutor Ljungqvist has asserted the seriousness of the accusations, emphasizing that if proven true, the disclosures could represent a significant threat to Sweden’s national safety. It is also noteworthy that these current accusations are unrelated to an earlier case involving another diplomat arrested on espionage charges, who passed away shortly after his release, clarifying that there is no connection to ongoing espionage cases either domestically or internationally.