Social Democratic Politicians in Sundsvall Arrested Amid Serious Economic Crime Investigation

On Tuesday, January 28, 2026, the Swedish Economic Crime Authority (Ekobrottsmyndigheten), together with the police, carried out a raid at the municipal offices in Sundsvall, leading to the arrest of five individuals suspected of serious economic crimes. Among those arrested are two Social Democratic politicians, Petter Stenberg, chairman of the municipal holding company Stadsbacken, and Anita Bdioui, head of Sundsvall Logistikpark. Both have temporarily stepped down from their political duties amid the ongoing investigation.

The charges involve serious accounting fraud and fraud, linked to the companies overseen by the arrested politicians. The investigation focuses primarily on irregularities in annual reports and valuations of the municipal companies. In total, six individuals were detained for questioning, although one was released after interrogation. Despite the release of the five arrested suspects, the inquiry continues.

The Social Democratic Party has acknowledged the arrests and allegations, with both politicians denying any wrongdoing. Lisa Tynnemark, vice chair of the municipal council, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating the municipality is closely monitoring the developments while allowing the Economic Crime Authority to conduct a thorough investigation.

This high-profile case raises significant concerns about financial misconduct and corruption within local governance in Sundsvall, highlighting the challenges in ensuring accountability within municipal operations. The investigation remains active as authorities continue to gather evidence and question those involved.