Swedish prosecutors clarify no link between intelligence arrests and Turkish journalist case
On Thursday, Swedish prosecutors confirmed that the recent arrests made by the Swedish intelligence agency involving a Kurdish representative and a Swedish diplomat were not connected to a journalist charged with terrorism in Turkey.
Late Wednesday, public broadcaster Sveriges Radio reported that one of those detained was linked to the case of Joakim Medin, a Swedish journalist currently held in Turkey on allegations of involvement with a “terrorist” organization.
The Swedish Security Service (Sapo) told AFP that two individuals were recently detained on suspicion of “aggravated unauthorized handling of classified information.” Both were released but remain suspects, with the agency declining to provide further information about the case.
Sveriges Radio identified one suspect as a Swedish citizen and prominent Kurdish representative in Northern Syria, while the other was described as a diplomat working for Sweden’s foreign ministry. It was unclear if Turkey had requested the arrests.
However, the Swedish Prosecution Authority issued a statement on Thursday denying any connection between these arrests and other ongoing investigations, either in Sweden or abroad. Prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist emphasized that the case is still in its early stages.
Joakim Medin, a journalist for Swedish newspaper Dagens ETC, faces accusations from Turkey of being affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which he denies. He was detained at Istanbul airport on March 27 while covering large protests in Turkey. Last month, Medin received an 11-month suspended sentence for allegedly insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
To ease Turkey’s objections during Sweden’s NATO membership bid, the two nations agreed to strengthen cooperation on counterterrorism efforts.
Over the weekend, Sapo arrested a second diplomat on spying suspicions. That individual was also released but remains a suspect; the intelligence agency confirmed this case is separate from the earlier arrests.
At a NATO meeting in Turkey, Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard acknowledged two ongoing investigations involving government officials but could not provide further details. She also mentioned having discussed Medin’s situation with Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan on Wednesday.
