CopenhagenDenmark – Two Iranian-born brothers have been indicted in Sweden on aggravated espionage charges after they spied for Russia and its military intelligence agency, the GRU, for about a decade, prosecutors said Friday. One of his men worked for the Swedish domestic intelligence service.
Authorities identified them as Peyman Kia, 42, and Payam Kia, 35. One of his brothers was also charged with serious unauthorized handling of confidential information. It was not immediately clear which one it was.
National Security Agency Chief Prosecutor Per Lindqvist said: “This is a complex investigation into a very difficult crime to investigate, and the allegations involve very serious crimes against Sweden’s intelligence services and security system. ” he said.
“If the information obtained, transmitted or leaked falls into the hands of foreign powers, it could be detrimental to the security of Sweden,” Lindqvist said in a statement.
He later told the Associated Press that the case involved “very sensitive topics” but did not elaborate.
According to the indictment obtained by AP, the men “jointly” passed information to Russia’s military intelligence agency GRU between September 28, 2011 and September 28, 2011. February 20, 2021.
It added that the data was obtained through one of the man’s jobs within Sweden’s domestic intelligence service and the national army.
His brother assisted in “communications between Russia and the GRU, including issues of handing over information and receiving compensation.” According to the indictment, Payam Khiah “dismantled and smashed a hard drive and was later found in a trash can” when his brother was arrested.
The incident is being investigated by SAPO, Sweden’s domestic security agency. Swedish prosecutors said much of the information in the preliminary investigation was confidential and could not provide details.
SAPO said a preliminary investigation was launched in 2017 after becoming suspicious of the former employee. Lindqvist said the investigation was launched “because of suspicions of the existence of spies, insiders” within the Swedish intelligence service.
A domestic spy agency confirmed that Peyman Kier worked there between 2014 and 2015, and had previously worked in the Swedish military. is during these employment periods.”
Swedish media reports said he worked for the defense intelligence agency MUST, under the covert task force that dealt with Swedish spies abroad. Later he worked for the Swedish Customs Service.
SAPO’s Anders Kassman said:
Pedder Ohlsson, head of the military’s news department, called the crime “extremely serious.”
Swedish Defense Minister Paul Jonsson said he had been informed of the incident but declined to comment.
The brothers obtained Swedish citizenship in 1994, and the Expressen daily reported that one of the men spoke Persian fluently. Swedish media reported that his brother was reportedly working for SAPO.
They were arrested in September and November 2021. Both have denied any wrongdoing, Swedish media reports. If convicted, the brothers face life in prison. Life imprisonment in Sweden usually means a minimum of 20 years for him to 25 years for him.
