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Sweden Arrests Russian National at US Request Over Sanctions Violations
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Sweden’s Security Service (Säpo) arrested a Russian national in Stockholm at the end of December at the request of the United States. The man, who had been internationally wanted since last summer, is now facing possible extradition to the US.
According to TV4 Nyheterna on February 17, the suspect had been sought by US authorities for six months after being indicted in absentia by an American court. He is accused of serious sanctions violations allegedly committed in the United States between 2022 and 2023.
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The raid in Stockholm was carried out on the basis of an international arrest warrant issued at the request of the United States.
“The case concerns an international arrest warrant. As the Security Service is assisting another country in its criminal investigation, we cannot go into details,” said Jonathan Svensson, press secretary at Säpo, in an interview with TV4 Nyheterna.
The investigation reportedly led US authorities to Sweden, prompting the involvement of the Swedish Ministry of Justice. Lars Hedvall, senior prosecutor at the National Security Unit, decided that Säpo should carry out the arrest.
As reported by TV4 Nyheterna, during the operation, Säpo searched the suspect’s residence and seized several items, including mobile phones. The search was also conducted at the request of the United States. The Russian citizen was taken into custody at the same time.
The Stockholm District Court ruled that the man should remain in custody pending a decision on extradition, which must be approved by the Prosecutor General, the Supreme Court, and ultimately the Swedish government.
In a separate case, Estonia’s Internal Security Service has detained blogger Oleg Besedin on suspicion of conducting activities against the Estonian state and breaching international sanctions, according to Postimees, citing the Office of the Prosecutor General.
Investigators allege that since at least 2022, Besedin has cooperated with individuals connected to Russian intelligence services and taken part in Russian information influence operations.
“We have previously warned about the security threats associated with Besedin’s activities in our annual reports and public statements. There are now grounds to suspect him of committing a state crime,” said Taavi Narits, Deputy Director General of the Internal Security Service.
Authorities further suspect Besedin of repeatedly disseminating content produced by Russian media outlets that are subject to European Union sanctions. Such actions are regarded as a breach of EU restrictive measures and classified under Estonian law as a crime against peace.
“In Estonia, non-violent activities aimed against the Republic of Estonia that harm our independence, sovereignty, or territorial integrity are punishable as state crimes,” said Chief State Prosecutor Taavi Pern.
Earlier, The United Kingdom imposed a fine of roughly $1.28 million on London-based Superservice Ltd for violating sanctions linked to Russia. The penalty concerns a commercial transaction involving jet fuel supplied for use by Russian military aircraft.
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