Kungälv's municipality is shaken by suspicions of bribery

An extensive police operation is underway in the municipality of Kungälv due to several ongoing preliminary investigations into financial crime, where at least one case concerns suspected bribery.

One of the premises where the police searched the house on Tuesday is the municipal hall.

Municipal director Håkan Sandahl faced the effort when he came to work at eight o'clock.

- I didn't know anything until I came here. The police were here to secure documents, computers and other things they might need in the investigation. As far as I know, that work is still ongoing, says Håkan Sandahl.

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of bribery. A third has been brought in for questioning on suspicion of aiding and abetting the giving and taking of bribes.

The business has connections to a municipal company in Kungälv municipality. When DN visited the company's headquarters at lunchtime, the police operation at the site was still in full swing with both painted and civilian vehicles on site. Three of the large windows in the house had their blinds down.

- I see media reports in various directions, but I cannot comment on them, says Håkan Sandahl.

Sandahl is also the CEO of Kungälv municipality's parent company, which the other companies fall under, but he says that he has not received any information that, for example, money has disappeared in any strange way in the corporate sphere.

- I came to the municipality this year and have not received any information about any suspicion of irregularities or that money is missing. But these are of course questions that we must look at now. I only know that there is now a prosecutor-led investigation where the municipality is counted as a plaintiff.

What do you think about the situation with municipal employees suspected of bribery?

- That it is good that the police take it very seriously through a coordinated effort like this.

Within the framework of the police operation, several preliminary investigations are underway alongside the bribery investigation. According to the police spokesperson, they are so far police-led and apply to other types of economic crime.

- But they are connected to the bribery investigation. Everything is connected, says Jens Andersson at the police press department.

Police and prosecutors do not rule out more detentions.