Sweden moves to seize Russian-owned property near strategic naval base
Sweden wants to seize property owned by a Russian citizen near a strategic naval base (photo: Getty Images)
Sweden's Fortifications Agency has applied to expropriate property owned by a Russian citizen near the Muskö naval base on grounds of "national security," according to SVT.
The property is currently owned by a person with Russian citizenship. The grounds for the application are "the serious security situation, the threat from Russian drones, and the situation regarding ownership of the property."
"Nothing is more important than Sweden's security. We are in the most serious security situation since the end of World War II, and the threat to Sweden and the alliance is real," said Chief of Defense Staff Lieutenant General Carl-Johan Edström.
It is known that the property owner has Russian citizenship and "poses a security threat" to the Swedish Armed Forces. Therefore, the Swedish Armed Forces want to obtain the right to use the property to protect the country's navy.
In addition, this plot of land and the house are the only location preventing the Swedish Armed Forces from creating an "effective defense" of the Muskö base, particularly against drones.
Several years ago, Expressen reported that a person with Russian citizenship and ties to Russia had purchased a plot of land near Muskö. A 600-square-meter vacation home is currently being built on the site.
Earlier, Swedish law enforcement officers detained the Caffa cargo ship near the city of Trelleborg in the Baltic Sea.
The Ukrainian side links the vessel to the illegal export of grain from occupied Crimea and other territories seized by Russia. The vessel had previously been added to Ukraine's sanctions list.
