Iranian-born brothers in Sweden deny spying for GRU

A former employee of the Swedish Security Police (Säpo), who also worked for the Swedish military intelligence service (Must), is accused along with his brother of spying for Russian intelligence. Photo: Fredrik Sandberg/TT/NTB

By NTB | 12.11.2022 11:51:03

Policy: The police, among other things, confronted him with a note that says “800,000 a month of horror”, but Peyman denies that it was a payment from the Russian military intelligence service GRU.

In several other notes, Peyman also mentions the “GRU thing”, something he couldn’t give a good explanation for during interrogations, except that it was probably an abbreviation for something.

If that’s what the Swedish police are basing their suspicions of espionage on, they are “completely screwed”, he claimed during one of the interrogations mentioned in the indictment.

– The offense is serious because it concerns matters of great importance. Information obtained and transmitted without authorization could harm Sweden’s security if it reaches a foreign power, the state’s first prosecutor, Per Lindqvist, said when the indictment was announced on Friday. .

The 42-year-old was then all in the spotlight of Säpo, who had been monitoring him since 2017. Among other things, the man’s safe was searched six times in the years 2017 to 2019. It revealed that he had received a residence permit in Canada.

Säpo has teamed up with Swedish Food Agency Director General Annica Sohlström, who for three years oversaw Peyman and reported to them, writes The Express.

According to Swedish media, Peyman refused to explain during initial interrogations, but eventually answered questions from investigators. He denies any involvement in the Russian secret services.

According to the indictment, which alleges crude espionage and the disclosure of classified material of great importance to Swedish security, the two brothers have been in contact with Russian intelligence services since 2011.

After his career at Säpo and the military intelligence service Must, Peyman Kia joined the Swedish Food Agency, where he quickly rose through the ranks and obtained a position of trust.

(© NTB)