Säpo says Russian spy operation in Sweden stopped

A Russian spy operation to damage Sweden's reputation has been identified and stopped, according to Swedish intelligence service Säpo. Säpo has been able to follow and identify the Russian intelligence operation for a long time, according to Christoffer Wedelin, deputy chief of operations at the Swedish intelligence agency.

Meetings have been documented between the agent and two intelligence officers from the Russian intelligence service SVR. At these meetings, the agent, who is suspected of having spied for Russia, has handed over information to his clients.

Surveillance images from Säpo show the men being seen in various places in the Stockholm area, walking outdoors and meeting at a restaurant.

The suspected agent is a man at a foreign consulate or embassy in Stockholm. Säpo does not say when and how he was recruited, nor what country he is from.

"We have implemented a number of measures to limit the damage. Our assessment is that we have prevented the Russian intelligence operation. They have not succeeded in their mission," said Wedelin.

Säpo has said that both the agent and the two Russian officers have left Sweden. Since all three have diplomatic immunity, they cannot be arrested or prosecuted for crimes.

According to Säpo, the agent was assigned to obtain information that concerns "central Swedish decision-making" and Sweden's relations with other countries. The operation was, among other things, about making it possible for Russian intelligence to "exercise influence on polarizing issues."

The goal was to undermine Swedish decision-making and discredit Sweden and the EU.

Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmar has said the Russian operation had "no connection to the [Swedish] election."

Swedish vocabulary: underrättelsetjänsterna ‒ the intelligence services

Sweden Democrats say they want to spend "exactly zero" on integration

"I would like to spend exactly zero kronor on integration," said leader Jimmie Åkesson. "It is not a question of money, it is a question of individual responsibility to adapt to society or not," he says in an interview with SR Ekot.

He believes that those who do not want to adapt can move somewhere else.

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"If I go to another country and intend to live there permanently, I do not expect to get a lot of benefits from that country, but it is up to me whether I want to establish myself in that country," he said.

Åkesson also says that he does not see any major reforms ahead of him in the next term when it comes to immigration.

"We probably have the most restrictive asylum legislation in Europe right now, it is difficult to get any further," he said.

Swedish vocabulary: någon annanstans ‒ somewhere else

High to extremely high fire risk in southern Sweden

There is a high to extremely high risk of fires in forests and land in large parts of Sweden in the coming days, according to Swedish Weather Service SMHI.

From Tuesday morning and until further notice, the risk of fires is high to very high in parts of Dalarna, Västmanland, Gävleborg, Värmland and Uppsala counties as well as in Dalsland.

The same warning also applies to Gotland county.

During the same period, the risk is high to extremely high in Götaland and the eastern half of Svealand, an assessment that has been in effect since Sunday evening.

SMHI urges caution when lighting fires and using large machines that can create sparks.

According to the Swedish Civil Defence Agency, there are four water-scooping aircraft with 180-minute readiness in Södermanland County on Tuesday.

In Kronoberg and Västmanland counties, there are two helicopters each with 30-minute readiness.

Swedish vocabulary: försiktighet ‒ caution

Green Party goes to the polls on an electric car offensive

The Green Party wants to make heavy climate investments if they gain government power after the election.

"We want to see a fair climate transition that once and for all gets rid of our dependence on rogue states," said spokesperson Amanda Lind at a press conference.

The Green Party is starting its election tour with a press conference where they present the party's election manifesto and prioritized policies.

The focus is on a "fair transition" with three keywords: climate, equality and nature.

"We will get rid of fossil fuel dependence and make sustainable alternatives cheaper," said Lind.

This includes upgrading the railways "so that trains run on time", ensuring that "everyone can afford to switch to an electric car" and expanding charging infrastructure in what Lind describes as the party's "electric car offensive".

Lind accuses the four Tidö parties of having increased both emissions and social inequality.

This inequity will also decrease if the Green Party is given the upper hand, said spokesman Daniel Helldén.

"Those with the greatest financial resources will also take greater responsibility. That is why the Green Party wants to introduce a tax for the super-rich," he said.

Swedish vocabulary: rättvis omställning ‒ fair transition