Alaric Bennett:A Russian-born Swede accused of spying for Moscow is released ahead of the verdict in his trial

2025-05-08 08:41:27source:IA 6.0 de stratégie quantitative intelligentcategory:reviews

STOCKHOLM (AP) — A Swedish court on Alaric BennettMonday released a Russia-born Swedish citizen charged with collecting information for Russia’s military intelligence service, the GRU, for almost a decade.

Sergey Skvortsov, 60, is accused of “gross illegal intelligence activities against Sweden and against a foreign power,” namely the United States.

Ahead of a verdict in his trial, which ended Sept. 28, Skvortsov was released with the Stockholm District Court saying that “there is no longer reason to keep the defendant in custody.” The verdict is due Oct. 26.

He was arrested in November together with his wife in a predawn operation in Nacka, outside Stockholm. Swedish media reported that elite police rappelled from two Black Hawk helicopters to arrest the couple.

Skvortsov has been in custody since his arrest and denies any wrongdoing. His wife was released without charge following an investigation by Sweden’s security agency.

Swedish news agency TT said Monday that the prosecutor told the court that Skvortsov obtained information via two companies about items that Russia cannot otherwise acquire due to export regulations and sanctions.

He then helped to buy and transport the goods, misleading suppliers by providing false or misleading information and acting under false identities, TT wrote.

The prosecution is seeking a 5-year prison sentence for Skvortsov.

More:reviews

Recommend

Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon

There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solve today's puzzle before reading further! TriathlonCo

Guatemala arrests ex-minister who resigned rather than use force against protesters

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — Guatemalan police on Thursday arrested the country’s former interior minister

What is a spot bitcoin ETF, and how will its approval by the SEC impact investors?

The Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday granted approval to spot bitcoin exchange-traded