A trial opened in Sweden on Friday in the case of two Iranian born brothers who are charged with aggravated espionage for allegedly spying for Russia and its military intelligence service GRU for around 10 years.

Peyman Kia 42, and Payam Kia 35 appeared before the Stockholm District Court to face accusations of having “jointly” passed information to GRU during the period between 28 September 2011 and 20 September 2021. Both of whom could face up to life imprisonment if convicted, which in Sweden would see them face a minimum of 20-25 years in prison.

A trial opened in Sweden on Friday in the case of two Iranian born brothers who are charged with aggravated espionage for allegedly spying for Russia and its military intelligence service GRU for around 10 years. Peyman Kia 42, and Payam Kia 35 appeared before the Stockholm District Court to face accusations of having “jointly” passed information to GRU during the period between 28 September 2011 and 20 September 2021. Both of whom could face up to life imprisonment if convicted, which in Sweden would see them face a minimum of 20-25 years in prison. Prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist told the court in his opening statement “This case is unique in many ways… We haven't had a trial like this in more than 20 years”, he then also added that the information obtained, transmitted, and divulged was “extremely sensitive material” and that “The court will have insight into material that very few in this country have seen or have access to.” Intelligence expert Joakim von Braun told Swedish broadcaster SVT that even though many details remain unknown, it appeared to be one of most damaging cases of espionage in Sweden’s history because the men compiled a list of all the employees within SAPO. He then added “that alone is a big problem because Russian intelligence focuses on human sources”

Prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist told the court in his opening statement “This case is unique in many ways… We haven’t had a trial like this in more than 20 years”, he then also added that the information obtained, transmitted, and divulged was “extremely sensitive material” and that “The court will have insight into material that very few in this country have seen or have access to.”

Intelligence expert Joakim von Braun told Swedish broadcaster SVT that even though many details remain unknown, it appeared to be one of most damaging cases of espionage in Sweden’s history because the men compiled a list of all the employees within SAPO. He then added “that alone is a big problem because Russian intelligence focuses on human sources”