Henrik Landerholm Convicted for Gross Negligence with Classified Information

Henrik Landerholm, former national security advisor, has been convicted by the Svea Court of Appeal for gross negligence involving classified information, overturning a previous acquittal by the Attunda District Court. The case centers on March 2023 when Landerholm left sensitive documents concerning Sweden's NATO strategy regarding Turkey and a secret meeting with the U.S. national security advisor unsecured in an unlocked hotel safe at Gällöfsta kursgård. The court ruled that Landerholm acted with gross negligence, sentencing him to 80 daily fines totaling 52,000 kronor. While Landerholm acknowledged the incident as unfortunate, he denied criminal wrongdoing and expressed disappointment over the conviction.

In response to the conviction, the Green Party (Miljöpartiet) has urged the constitutional committee (KU) to resume scrutiny of Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's involvement with Landerholm. The investigation had been paused in spring 2025 during Landerholm's legal proceedings. Miljöpartiet's group leader Annika Hirvonen criticized the Tidöparties for blocking the review for years, citing concerns of nepotism and cover-up. Landerholm has been a close friend of Kristersson and was appointed as security advisor following the 2022 elections.

The appellate court emphasized that the hotel safe was inadequate for securing classified information, and Landerholm's history of carelessness with sensitive documents contributed to the ruling. Gällöfsta kursgård, closely connected to the Swedish government, was deemed a potential target for espionage. This conviction highlights serious concerns about security protocol adherence within Sweden's highest security advisory circles.