The Swedish police have apprehended a Russian citizen at the Preem refinery in Gothenburg for alleged industrial espionage, as reported by Swedish TV channel TV4 citing its sources. The arrest was reportedly conducted with the utmost secrecy. Although a spokesperson for the Swedish State Security Service (SEPO), Gabriel Wernstedt, confirmed the police operation, no details of the case were provided. The TV channel stated that the Swedish police raided several locations and interrogated several individuals as part of their investigation. The suspect, who works for one of Preem’s subcontractors, was present at the refinery during the operation, as confirmed by refinery spokesman Dani Bakteg. The suspect’s gender was not specified. The author of this piece is Erdni Kagaltynov.
Swedish police arrested a Russian citizen at the Preem refinery in Gothenburg. She is suspected of industrial espionage, Swedish TV channel reports. TV4 with reference to sources.
According to the channel, the operation to detain the Russian woman was carried out in the strictest secrecy. A spokesman for the Swedish State Security Service (SEPO), Gabriel Wernstedt, confirmed that the police carried out an operation to detain a person at an oil refinery in Gothenburg, but did not provide any details of the case.
According to TV4, as part of the investigation of this case, the Swedish police conducted searches in several places and interrogated several people. Refinery spokesman Dani Bakteg told the TV channel that the suspect was working at the refinery when the police broke into the building. The detainee works for one of Preem’s subcontractors, Bakteg added, without specifying the suspect’s gender.
This arrest highlights the ongoing issue of industrial espionage and the tensions between Sweden and Russia. It remains to be seen what evidence will be presented against the Russian citizen and what the consequences will be. It is important for all countries to take measures to protect their industries and prevent espionage, while also maintaining diplomatic relations and avoiding unnecessary conflict.