The Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke of sorrow among his colleagues after emerging that a diplomat who was interviewed this week suspected of espionage was found dead.
The man, described as a high -ranking diplomat, was arrested on Sunday by the Säpo intelligence service of Sweden and released on Wednesday. He had denied reprehensible acts, although the prosecutors said that he had remained suspected.
Foreign Minister Maria Malmer, Stenergard published a statement saying that her thoughts were with family, friends and colleagues from the diplomat and said it was a difficult day.
She said she couldn’t go into more details on the case. Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding death.
Former Foreign Minister Carl Bildt described “the ambassador of tragically deceased” as extremely gifted and competent, who had occupied various roles in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Swedish reports said that he had spent long periods stationed outside Europe, more recently as an ambassador. Invited to confirm if the deceased man was ambassador, his lawyer Anton Strand said he had no comments.
Images of the door of the diplomat’s apartment on Swedish television have shown that she was forced to open at the time of her arrest.
The diplomat had requested medical treatment for injuries and submitted a report alleging excessive use at the time. Säpo said the arrest had been peaceful.
Mr. Strand declared in a press release to the BBC: “I made sure that his official report on abuse during the arrest arrived in the unit of special surveys. An investigation began on this subject.”
The unconfirmed reports of the public broadcaster SVT suggest that Säpo had investigated a possible link to the sudden resignation of the new national security advisor, Tobias Thyberg, who left hours a day after having assumed the role.
A few hours before his resignation, sensitive photos of him on the Grindr dating application had been sent anonymously to the government.
Mr. Strand did not comment on this subject, but said that he had died from the death of his client early Friday and that his thoughts were with his family.
The prosecutor by Lindqvist told Swedish TV that death was very regrettable and that a preliminary investigation on alleged espionage was not over.
According to Swedish information, the man was in their fifties and returned to his home in the center of Stockholm temporarily after a long period abroad.
