Current:Home > BackSwedish court acquits Russian-born businessman of spying for Moscow-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Swedish court acquits Russian-born businessman of spying for Moscow
View Date:2024-12-23 23:25:33
STOCKHOLM (AP) — A Russian-born Swedish businessman was acquitted on Thursday of collecting information for Russia’s military intelligence service, the GRU, for almost a decade.
Sergey Skvortsov, 60, had been accused of “ gross illegal intelligence activities against Sweden and against a foreign power,” namely the United States.
The Stockholm District Court said Skvortsov had largely acted in the way prosecutors alleged and that advanced technology was acquired and delivered to Russia.
But the court said in its verdict “that the business (was) only intended for the procurement of technology from the West and not aimed at obtaining information concerning Sweden or the United States that may constitute espionage.”
Judge Jakob Hedenmo said in a statement that the prosecutor was unable to prove that Skvortsov was involved in espionage.
Skvortsov 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.
On Oct. 9, the Stockholm District Court said that Skvortsov was released ahead of a verdict in his trial, which ended Sept. 28, saying “there is no longer reason to keep the defendant in custody.”
Skvortsov had denied any wrongdoing, His wife was released without charge following an investigation by Sweden’s security agency.
According to the prosecutor, Skvortsov had 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.
veryGood! (2134)
Related
- Why California takes weeks to count votes, while states like Florida are faster
- Stop What You're Doing—Moo Deng Just Dropped Her First Single
- USMNT Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal Leg 1 vs. Jamaica: Live stream and TV, rosters
- Dogecoin soars after Trump's Elon Musk announcement: What to know about the cryptocurrency
- Man gets a life sentence in the shotgun death of a New Mexico police officer
- UFC 309: Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic fight card, odds, how to watch, date
- Paraguay vs. Argentina live updates: Watch Messi play World Cup qualifying match tonight
- Olympic Skier Lindsey Vonn Coming Out of Retirement at 40
- Garth Brooks wants to move his sexual assault case to federal court. How that could help the singer.
- Natural gas flares sparked 2 wildfires in North Dakota, state agency says
Ranking
- Judge recuses himself in Arizona fake elector case after urging response to attacks on Kamala Harris
- West Virginia expands education savings account program for military families
- Advance Auto Parts is closing hundreds of stores in an effort to turn its business around
- Sofia Richie Reveals 5-Month-Old Daughter Eloise Has a Real Phone
- Armie Hammer Says His Mom Gifted Him a Vasectomy for His 38th Birthday
- USMNT Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal Leg 1 vs. Jamaica: Live stream and TV, rosters
- KFC sues Church's Chicken over 'original recipe' fried chicken branding
- Judge weighs the merits of a lawsuit alleging ‘Real Housewives’ creators abused a cast member
Recommendation
-
Mike Tyson is expected to honor late daughter during Jake Paul fight. Here's how.
-
Blake Snell free agent rumors: Best fits for two-time Cy Young winner
-
Vermont man is fit to stand trial over shooting of 3 Palestinian college students
-
Suicides in the US military increased in 2023, continuing a long-term trend
-
Women suing over Idaho’s abortion ban describe dangerous pregnancies, becoming ‘medical refugees’
-
Dramatic video shows Phoenix police rescue, pull man from car submerged in pool: Watch
-
AI could help scale humanitarian responses. But it could also have big downsides
-
Donna Kelce Includes Sweet Nod to Taylor Swift During Today Appearance With Craig Melvin