SVT Nyheter26 minutes agoPolitics2 min read

Ministry of Foreign Affairs on its actions regarding the "Russian House": Must be protected

The property owner Stefan Häge has gained access to the house after more than ten years of dispute with Russian tenants

Quick Look

After more than a decade, the property owner Stefan Häge has been allowed to enter the so-called Russian house on Lidingö.
His company bought the property in 2014, but Russian tenants refused to move or pay rent.
SVT revealed three years ago that the house was used by Russian intelligence officers under diplomatic cover.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

Property owner Stefan Häge's company bought the house on Lidingö in 2014 at an executive auction. Russian tenants refused to move or pay rent, starting a conflict that lasted over a decade. Just over three years ago, SVT revealed that the property was used by designated Russian intelligence officers who worked under diplomatic cover.

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On Monday, property owner Stefan Häge was able to enter the high-rise building on Lidingö for the first time, which has become known as the "Russian House".

His company bought the property in 2014 at executive auction. But the Russian tenants refused to move or pay rent – and that was the beginning of a conflict that would last for over a decade.

Just over three years ago, SVT was able to reveal that the property was also used by designated Russian intelligence officers who worked under diplomatic cover.

Now the protracted battle for the house finally seems to be over.

Criticism of the Foreign Ministry

Both Stefan Häge and the city of Lidingö have criticized the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' actions in the matter. Among other things, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been accused of protecting Russian interests.

- I never gave up. But the Swedish state has done nothing. They haven't taken any measures, so if I'm going to thank someone, I want to thank myself, says Stefan Häge.

When then Foreign Minister Tobias Billström (M) was asked about the criticism in 2023, he defended the government's actions with Russian diplomats using the property.

- We must ensure that it is protected and that the people staying there are treated with dignity. It is a commitment we have made according to the Vienna Convention. If we want our Swedish diplomats and our envoys to be treated with dignity. It's about mutual exchanges, he said.

Foreign Ministry: "Dignity must not be violated"

Even now, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responds with the same argument.

- According to the Vienna Convention, diplomats' residences must be protected from intrusion and their peace and dignity must not be violated, writes the press service to SVT Nyheter.

The Foreign Ministry writes that they do not keep records of diplomats' residences and that they have dealt with this issue based on Sweden's obligations.

They do not answer the question of whether they were involved in negotiations regarding the fate of the property.

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will answer questions about participation in negotiations about the fate of the property
Possible · Within weeks

Open Questions

What conditions apply to Stefan Häge now having access to the house?
Has the Ministry of Foreign Affairs been involved in negotiations about the fate of the property?
What happens to the Russian tenants now?