Two Swedish brothers accused of selling secrets to Russia’s intelligence services face trial

JUST IN: #BNNSweden Reports. Two Swedish brothers, Peyman Kia and Payam Kia have gone on trial for allegedly selling secrets to Russia’s intelligence services, in what has been described as one of Sweden’s worst ever alleged cases of espionage.

Peyman Kia, 42, and Payam Kia, 35, have been accused of spying for Moscow for ten years. The older brother had previously served in the army and security services of Sweden. They are suspected of providing classified information to the Russian intelligence agency GRU for over a decade.

According to the prosecution, the older brother is also charged with gross unauthorised handling of secret information. Anton Strand, the lawyer for the eldest man, said his client continues to deny the accusations and said “He has been working in different positions for the Swedish government and has always done his best to do a good job in a very difficult environment.”