Swedish Government Proposes Legal Measures to Expropriate Properties Linked to Espionage

The Swedish government has initiated a significant security-driven proposal aiming to expropriate properties suspected of being used for espionage activities, especially those located near sensitive military and critical infrastructure sites. This move chiefly targets properties associated with foreign intelligence threats, notably linked to Russian interests.

Among the scrutinized properties is a luxury house in the southern Stockholm archipelago, covering 1.6 hectares and featuring a 600 square meter summer residence that includes an underground level with facilities such as a garage, workshop, and cinema. Additionally, a Russian Orthodox church near Västerås airport, an area critical to Swedish infrastructure, is under investigation for its potential use as a "Trojan horse" for espionage operations.

The government has launched an investigation into amending current legislation to allow expropriation on national security grounds, a power not presently allowed. Defense Minister Pål Jonson emphasized the urgency of these legal changes, stating the importance of adapting the legal framework to counter threats from nations like Russia. Importantly, the expropriation rules would apply regardless of the property owner’s nationality.

The Social Democrats have also expressed concerns about the sale of state-owned land in sensitive coastal zones, calling for thorough security analyses before any such transactions occur. Discussions are underway considering possible bans on property purchases by Russian and Belarusian citizens, following measures already adopted by neighboring countries.

The government expects to present the proposed law by March 15, 2027, aiming to strengthen Sweden’s defenses against foreign espionage and ensure state and national security are preserved against covert threats.

This development reflects heightened vigilance in Sweden's approach to safeguarding critical locations from covert foreign influence and espionage, acknowledging the evolving threat landscape in the region.