Supplying Western Goods To Russian Intelligence, This 60-year-old Grandfather Faced Indictment In Sweden

Illustration. (Unsplash/Killian Cartignies)

JAKARTA - Sweden indicted a man on Monday for spying on the country and the United States on behalf of Russia, illegally transferring advanced technology to the Russian armed forces for a period of nine years.

Prosecutors charged Sergej Skvortsov, a citizen of Sweden and Russia, on charges of intelligence activity unlawfully against the two countries between 2013 and 2022, according to the indictment.

The 60-year-old's lawyer said he denied wrongdoing. "He reiterated that he denies all charges," Urrika Borg, a 60-year-old grandfather's lawyer, told Reuters.

Prosecutors said the suspect gathered information on behalf of Russia that could harm US and Swedish security, providing Russia with technology that cannot be obtained on the open market due to trade regulations and sanctions.

"Skvortsov and his company have become platforms for the Russian military intelligence service GRU and part of the Russian state for the procurement of illegal technology from the West," the indictment reads.

Meanwhile, the security agency said in a statement the alleged crime could pose a serious security threat to Sweden and other countries.

"The purpose of the suspect's business is to provide Russia with a much sought-after and sensitive technology that can be used militarily, where the purpose of the procurement is to improve the military capabilities of the Russian state," the agency said.

It is known that police arrested Skvortsov in November last year on the outskirts of Stockholm. The arrests at that time involved the Black Hawk helicopter in a raid just before dawn, with his wife being detained even though later released, as quoted by The National News.

Swedish-Russian dual citizenship, Skvortsov is said to have worked in various export businesses in Sweden, after moving there in the 1990s.

Skvortsov, who has been detained since his arrest, faces up to four years in prison if found guilty.