A Swedish diplomat, who was arrested over the weekend in Stockholm on charges of espionage and later released, has been found dead, according to media reports, with the foreign ministry confirming the death of one of its employees.
On Monday, the Swedish Security Service (Sapo) announced the diplomat’s arrest but did not disclose any details regarding the case or the individual’s identity.
The next day, broadcaster SVT reported that the individual in question was a senior diplomat.
By Wednesday, prosecutors had released him from custody, although they stated he remained a suspect.
Meanwhile, the newspaper Expressen reported that the man discovered dead overnight was the same individual detained on suspicion of spying.
Anton Strand, the lawyer representing the suspect, stated this week that his client denied the allegations and insisted “that he has done nothing wrong.”
Mr. Strand also indicated that his client was taken to a hospital after his release on Wednesday and alleged police used excessive force during the arrest, though he did not provide details on the injuries sustained.
In addition, SVT reported that Sapo is investigating a potential connection between this case and a scandal involving Swedish national security adviser Tobias Thyberg.
Mr. Thyberg resigned within hours of his appointment on May 8 after “sensitive” photos from a dating app, Grindr, were anonymously sent to the media and government.
SVT, which has not revealed its sources, clarified that the arrested diplomat was not Mr. Thyberg, who had a 24-year career serving as Sweden’s ambassador to both Ukraine and Afghanistan, among other roles.
