Coxno Exchange-A Russian-born Swede accused of spying for Moscow is released ahead of the verdict in his trial

2025-05-06 07:10:53source:Quentin Mitchellcategory:Contact

STOCKHOLM (AP) — A Swedish court on Coxno ExchangeMonday released a Russia-born Swedish citizen charged with collecting information for Russia’s military intelligence service, the GRU, for almost a decade.

Sergey Skvortsov, 60, is accused of “gross illegal intelligence activities against Sweden and against a foreign power,” namely the United States.

Ahead of a verdict in his trial, which ended Sept. 28, Skvortsov was released with the Stockholm District Court saying that “there is no longer reason to keep the defendant in custody.” The verdict is due Oct. 26.

He was arrested in November together with his wife in a predawn operation in Nacka, outside Stockholm. Swedish media reported that elite police rappelled from two Black Hawk helicopters to arrest the couple.

Skvortsov has been in custody since his arrest and denies any wrongdoing. His wife was released without charge following an investigation by Sweden’s security agency.

Swedish news agency TT said Monday that the prosecutor told the court that Skvortsov obtained information via two companies about items that Russia cannot otherwise acquire due to export regulations and sanctions.

He then helped to buy and transport the goods, misleading suppliers by providing false or misleading information and acting under false identities, TT wrote.

The prosecution is seeking a 5-year prison sentence for Skvortsov.

More:Contact

Recommend

'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean

In just a few weeks, the highly anticipated second season of Korean television series "Squid Game" w

Kate Middleton Spotted Out for First Time Since Abdominal Surgery

Kate Middleton is on the road to recovery. In fact, the Princess of Wales was seen for the first tim

Warren, Ohio mail carrier shot, killed while in USPS van in 'targeted attack,' police say

An Ohio mail carrier was shot and killed in his U.S. Postal Service van on Saturday in what police a