Two individuals arrested on suspicion of gross violation of sanctions

The suspects were arrested on 5 and 7 May in the Stockholm area and in western Sweden, respectively. In connection with the interventions, house searches were carried out in several locations in southern and western Sweden.

– The Swedish Security Service has carried out an extensive operation to thwart a serious crime, that is now being investigated by the Swedish Security Service within the framework of a criminal investigation. The Swedish Security Service takes sanctions crimes very seriously and engages in long-term deliberate efforts to restrict Russia’s possibilities to circumvent sanctions, says Christoffer Wedelin, Deputy Head of Operations at the Swedish Security Service.

One of the suspects has been detained since 8 May, and the other was remanded in custody on 10 May. The Swedish Security Service has been working on this case for a while. The criminal investigation is being run by a National Security Unit Prosecutor.

Sanctions legislation was tightened in June 2025. The Act now introduces the criminal offences of attempting, aiding, and abetting sanctions violations. If the offence is gross, the penalty is now imprisonment for up to six years.

– This type of crime is often a multi-step process with several intermediaries, the simple reason being that the individuals involved are trying to hide their involvement and reduce traceability. Sweden must not be used as a platform by foreign powers, including Russia. Ultimately, Swedish products and Swedish technology must not end up in the hands of the Russian military, says Christoffer Wedelin.