Two Swedes accused of spying for Russia

A trial is under way in Sweden in the case of two Iranian-born Swedish brothers charged with spying for Russia and its military intelligence service GRU for a decade.

Peyman Kia, 42, and Payam Kia, 35, appeared before the Stockholm court to face accusations they worked together to pass information to Russia between September 28 2011 and September 20 2021.

Between 2014 and 2015, Peyman Kia worked for Sweden's domestic intelligence agency but also for Sweden's armed forces.

Sweden's prosecutors allege the data they gave the Russians originated from within the Swedish security and intelligence service, known by its acronym Sapo.

Swedish media said Peyman Kia worked for the armed forces' foreign defence intelligence agency, whose Swedish acronym is Must, and reportedly worked with a top secret unit under Must which was dealing with Swedish spies abroad.