Minister Criticized for Delayed Awareness of Relative's Extremist Ties

The minister received information about their relative's far-right connections last week, although Expo had known for several weeks.

– "It's certainly a failing in security work," says terrorism expert Magnus Ranstorp.

Four days after Expo's revelation, the minister commented for the first time on the reports about their close relative.

According to the anti-racist magazine's investigation, the relative participated in several activities with the Nazi group Aktivklubb Sverige, associated with a member of the Nordic Resistance Movement, and put up far-right stickers, including one labeled "white zone."

The minister told TT that they received the information about their relative only last week, days before Expo's publication.

Expo: Active Investigation in June

Neither the government nor the Security Police (Säpo) will disclose how the information reached the minister.

Meanwhile, Expo claims to have had the information for some time.

– "We have been actively working on this investigation throughout June," says Daniel Poohl, CEO and editor-in-chief at Expo.

Last Thursday, Expo contacted the minister's staff, and shortly thereafter, the relative's social media settings were changed, limiting visibility.

Expressen has repeatedly sought government representatives to clarify exactly when and how the minister received the information about the relative but has not received a response.

Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer previously stated that "the person and employer were informed by the Security Police" but would not specify "the exact time" the information was received.

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

When Säpo received the information remains unclear, and Säpo itself refuses to answer any questions about its information gathering or dialogue with the minister.

– "We are very limited in what we can say about the work with the protection of the state leadership," says Johan Wikström, spokesperson for Säpo.

Ranstorp: Lessons for Säpo

According to what has emerged, Expo had the information longer than the minister, which terrorism expert Magnus Ranstorp believes raises important questions.

– "Therefore, the question is: When did Säpo find out about this and when did they inform about it? These are important lessons for Säpo in the future, not only to focus on the primary task but also to keep track of family members," says Magnus Ranstorp.

That Expo and AFA claim to have had the information before the minister himself, he considers a failing in security work.

– "It is also a security problem because the violent environment AFA knew about it," he says.

If Säpo had the information, Ranstorp believes the minister should have been informed.

– "Yes, especially if the person has an association with someone who has acted in a violent environment," he says.

In comments to TT, the minister says they "abhor all forms of political extremism" and that all associations in these circles are a "closed chapter."

Ranstorp also emphasizes that it is a young person and that he does not think any information that has emerged indicates that the relative's activities were a security threat, which may have influenced Säpo's assessment of the information.

– "I don't want to minimize this, I think it's serious. But what happens is that this is blown up into a huge security issue," he says.

– "Some even compare it to Thyberg. It cannot be compared, Thyberg would have access to classified information and he is personally vulnerable. This person has no access to any information. It has not been demonstrated in what way it is a security problem beyond the fact that you naturally do not want this in your closest circle," he says.