Expert Questions Timing of Säpo's Awareness of Minister's Family Ties to Extremism

Terrorism researcher Magnus Ranstorp is convinced that Säpo was aware of the information regarding the minister's relative in far-right circles. However, there was a delay before the responsible parties were informed, and the person's social media accounts were made private.

– When did Säpo find out about this? And how was this communicated to the government offices? That is the core question, says Ranstorp.

A close relative of a government minister has been actively involved in the Swedish far-right for about a year, reports the anti-racist magazine Expo.

– The person and the employer were informed by the Security Police, who monitor these environments in various ways. It concerns a person who is not a public figure, says Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer in a comment.

A close relative involved with far-right extremists is always a security risk, according to Marco Nilsson, associate professor of political science at Jönköping University and expert on extremism.

– There is, for example, a risk of being subjected to blackmail in some way, he says, also mentioning political influence.

“These are Important Issues”

The reason the connection to several Swedish far-right groups – Aktivklubb Sverige, Det fria Sverige, and the Nordic Resistance Movement – went unnoticed, he believes, is the Swedish system, which is based on voluntariness.

– Much of these security checks are based on self-reporting. The person considered for a high position is expected to disclose risks themselves, he says.

Should the minister have disclosed, if he knew?

– Yes, definitely. These are important issues. Even if the risk is not deemed high, it is important to lay all cards on the table. And when you speak openly, the risk of blackmail decreases, he says.

Expert: Control Should Be Expanded

Should Säpo independently have monitored the relative's circles?

– Sure, one might think that Säpo could have different routines to conduct more thorough searches, says extremism expert Marco Nilsson.

– It's up to them. But it would increase the chance of discovering irregularities. It would be beneficial. But it's also a resource issue.

Jörgen Holmlund, intelligence and security expert at the Swedish Defence University, believes such control should be conducted, and more broadly than today.

– Säpo must be able to guarantee parliamentary security. It is broader than “case by case,” as it works today. There is a greater seriousness, he says.

Ranstorp: The Core Question is When

Expo reports that they have been aware of the relative significantly longer than the Security Police.

The violent left-wing extremist organization AFA also claims to have been aware for a long time.

Svenska Dagbladet, however, writes that Säpo knew “before Expo's publication.” And a person close to the government has previously stated to Expressen that “all security routines” were followed when the minister was informed of the information.

But it is still unclear when the information became known to Säpo – whether it was when Expo contacted the minister, or earlier. After Expo contacted the minister's staff about the relative, the person's settings were changed, and access was restricted.

Despite this, Magnus Ranstorp, terrorism expert and author, is convinced that Säpo was aware.

– The core question is: When did Säpo find out about it? And how was it communicated to the government office's security department?

– There, criticism can be directed. Why wasn't the issue raised earlier with those around the minister?

Expressen has sought Gunnar Strömmer, who responds for the government. He says via his press secretary that he does not go into “exactly what time” the information came.