Shock in Sweden at demise of diplomat questioned for spying

[ad_1] Sweden's overseas minister has spoken of grief amongst her colleagues after it emerged {that a} diplomat who was questioned this week on suspicion of spying has been discovered useless.

The person, described as a high-ranking diplomat, was arrested by Sweden's Säpo intelligence service on Sunday and launched on Wednesday. He had denied wrongdoing, though prosecutors mentioned he remained below suspicion.

International Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard launched an announcement saying her ideas have been with the diplomat's household, associates and colleagues and mentioned it had been a troublesome day.

She mentioned she couldn't go into additional particulars in regards to the case. Police mentioned there have been no suspicious circumstances surrounding the demise.

Former overseas minister Carl Bildt described the "tragically deceased ambassador" as extraordinarily gifted and competent, who had labored in numerous roles inside the overseas ministry.

Swedish stories mentioned he had spent lengthy durations stationed outdoors Europe, most just lately as an envoy. Requested to verify whether or not the person who died was an envoy, his lawyer Anton Strand mentioned he had no remark.

Pictures of the door to the diplomat's flat on Swedish TV confirmed that it had been pressured open on the time of his arrest.

The diplomat had sought medical remedy for accidents and submitted a report alleging use of extreme drive on the time. Säpo mentioned the arrest had been peaceable.

Mr Strand mentioned in an announcement to the BBC: "I've ensured his formal report about abuse in the course of the arrest has arrived to the particular investigations unit. An investigation has began relating to this."

Unconfirmed stories from public broadcaster SVT counsel Säpo had been investigating a attainable hyperlink to the sudden resignation of the brand new nationwide safety adviser, Tobias Thyberg, who give up hours a day after taking over the function.

Hours earlier than he resigned, delicate photos of him on the relationship app Grindr had been despatched anonymously to the federal government.

Mr Strand made no touch upon that however mentioned he had acquired the information of his consumer's demise early on Friday and his ideas have been along with his household.

Prosecutor Per Lindqvist instructed Swedish TV that the demise was very regrettable and a preliminary investigation into suspected espionage was not full.

Swedish stories mentioned the person was in his 50s and had returned to his dwelling in central Stockholm quickly after an extended interval overseas.