A man with Swedish citizenship has been detained in Iran since this summer and is accused of spying for Israel, the Foreign Ministry confirms. The individual, who also holds Iranian citizenship, was arrested during the 12-day war in June, and a trial has begun. Iranian authorities claim he confessed and was part of an Israeli spy network.
A Swedish-Iranian dual citizen, who obtained Swedish citizenship in 2020, was arrested in Iran in June during the 12-day war between Iran and Israel. According to Iran's judiciary, the man is accused of espionage on behalf of the Israeli state. He reportedly entered the country one month before the war began, settled in a villa near Karaj in Alborz province, and possessed electronic surveillance equipment discovered during the conflict.
Iran's judiciary spokesperson, Asghar Jahangir, states that the man was recruited by intelligence services, trained in six European capitals, and traveled to Israel two weeks before entering Iran. He allegedly made multiple trips to Israel and has confessed to the espionage charges. The arrest forms part of a broader operation in which over 700 individuals are suspected of spying or collaborating with Israel, with several executed in recent months for 'enmity against God'.
Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) confirms to Aftonbladet, Expressen, and SVT that a Swedish man is detained. 'UD and the embassy in Tehran are in contact with relatives. The man is represented by legal counsel. Out of respect for consular confidentiality and to not hinder our work, we will not provide further details,' she says. She also reminds of the Foreign Ministry's travel advisory to Iran since June 2022. Iran does not recognize dual citizenship and treats the case as an internal matter. The trial began last week.
