Ex-Säpo analyst warns of Russian espionage against Sweden

Göran Janrell has worked with counter-espionage at Säpo and after retirement he has delved into Hilding Andersson, who was convicted of aggravated espionage in 1951, after having revealed major secrets about Sweden to Russia.

- This was one of the most dangerous spies Sweden has had, says Göran Janrell.

Hilding Andersson, who has been dead for 20 years, worked, among other things, as an officer on a defense icebreaker. Andersson was politically convinced that Sweden was safest in cooperation with Russia. In his job in the defense sector, he was stationed on icebreakers, so he could get close to ports on the east coast, including Gävle.

- He was here for two fortnightly periods. Here it was the inlet and outlet and Karskär with the factory that was interesting, says Göran Janrell.

That's how Jarnell thinks spies work now

The security police say that the threat from Russia is more relevant than in a long time. This summer, a Russian couple camping near the Saab CEO's summer house outside Gävle attracted attention, even though they are not suspected of any crime. In 2017, harbor staff in Gävle saw something strange on sonar that may have been a submarine.

Göran Janrell assesses that the interest in information about Sweden, including Gävle, remains.

How does a modern Hilding Andersson operate today?

- In the same way, he receives information, but it may happen in business or through political contacts, says Göran Janrell.