Swedish IT Consultant Sentenced to Psychiatric Care for Attempted Espionage for Russia

A 34-year-old Swedish man has been convicted of attempted espionage for Russia and sentenced to forensic psychiatric care due to a diagnosed serious mental disorder. Previously employed as an IT consultant for the Swedish Armed Forces from 2018 to 2022, he accessed highly classified military information which he attempted to leak to Russian authorities in the autumn of 2025.

The man’s espionage activities came to light after a guard at Sweden's royal palace in Drottningholm reported being followed by him in early 2026. Police discovered documents linked to the Russian state during his arrest, alongside evidence of his contacts with the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB). He admitted to several meetings with Russian intelligence, seeking protection rather than intending to harm Sweden, according to court records.

In addition to espionage, the man faced charges for two counts of harassment and is also detained on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. Notably, plans related to the conspiracy were reportedly made in Moscow targeting a person in Sweden. His psychiatric evaluation, conducted in the summer of 2026, confirmed he suffers from a serious mental disorder, leading the court to mandate forensic psychiatric care rather than prison.

During the investigation, the man made almost 600 calls to Sweden’s Security Service (Säpo), alleging he was under surveillance by the Defence Forces and the National Defence Radio Establishment (FRA). He also sought asylum in Russia and contacted intelligence services from multiple countries, including Norway, Iran, Turkey, and the USA, though primarily focusing on Russia. Prior to his trip to Russia in November 2025, he requested visa information and made multiple calls to the FSB.

Authorities found a package addressed to him containing 90 ankle monitors, and he sent documents to Russian officials outlining sensitive details regarding Sweden’s FRA operations. Despite his denial of espionage charges, the court ruled against him based on the evidence presented.

This case underscores ongoing security challenges faced by Sweden, emphasizing the vigilance required to counter espionage threats and the complexities involved when mental health issues intersect with national security offenses.