The Swedish Security Service, commonly known as Säpo, announced on Thursday that the Iranian government has employed criminal networks in Sweden as proxies to threaten the security of local individuals, groups, and other states. Säpo has identified Iran as one of Sweden’s greatest security threats.
According to Säpo, Iran has targeted opposition groups in Sweden’s Iranian diaspora and has been engaged in activities aimed at damaging Swedish ties with other states, most notably Israel and Jewish interests in Sweden. Säpo emphasized its commitment, in collaboration with the police, to continue implementing measures to prevent Iran from conducting activities that could threaten Sweden’s national security.
The tensions between Sweden and Iran have been escalating. In March, the Swedish Supreme Court upheld the guilty verdict and life sentence of Hamid Nouri, a former Iranian official convicted for his involvement in the 1988 mass executions of political prisoners in Iran. In response, an Iranian spokesperson criticized the verdict as “illegal” and “cruel,” stating that Iran would seek Nouri’s release.
Furthermore, an Iranian court has commenced proceedings against Johan Floderus, a Swedish EU employee arrested in 2022, charging him with spying for Israel and “corruption on earth,” a serious accusation that carries the death penalty. Floderus’ detention has intensified diplomatic strains between the two nations, with Sweden advocating for his release. The Swedish government’s remarks underscore the multifaceted nature of the security concerns and the complex geopolitical dynamics involving Iran.