Sweden spied on CIA 'terror flights': report
Published: 24 Apr 09 09:04 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/19050/20090424/
The government led by former Prime Minister Göran Persson knew that Sweden was used as a transit destination for clandestine CIA flights transporting suspected terrorists, according to a report in the Expressen newspaper on Friday.
- Swedes joining rebels can 'rarely be stopped' (17 Jun 13)
- 'Media may call Sweden Democrats xenophobic' (12 Jun 13)
- Foreign tourists praise Swedes' hospitality (5 Jun 13)
"The assignment to carry out this operation came from the defence ministry to the defence forces," according to an Expressen source who confirmed that the Swedish government harboured suspicions that the CIA was using so-called rendition flights to force people out of the USA against their will.
The surveillance team confirmed these suspicions and found that the CIA plane was filled with chained prisoners clad with black hoods and unable to move, the newspaper reports, citing several independent anonymous sources.
The Swedish defence forces on Friday confirmed to the newspaper that the surveillance operation took place.
"We have inspected the plane but make no further comment," Roger Magnergård, press officer at the Swedish defence forces, said to Expressen.
The operation's findings were reported back to the defence department, then headed by defence minister Leni Björklund, Expressen writes.
There is however no record of any formal protest lodged by the Swedish government to the US authorities.
Laila Freivalds, the Swedish foreign minister at the time, told the TT news agency in 2006 that the government was unaware of any CIA-backed activity in Sweden.
The only other known case of a CIA plane that used Sweden as a transit country emerged in 2004 and concerned two Egyptian asylum-seekers who were collected at Bromma airport in 2001 and flown to Egypt.
Ahmed Agiza and Mohammed Alzery, it later emerged, were then subjected to torture and were in 2008 each awarded 3 million kronor ($363,765) in compensation by the Swedish government.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Sweden among winners of future EU-US deal
Sweden is second in line to benefit the most from an EU free-trade deal with the US, for which negotiations were finally given the all-clear in a move welcomed by pro-business groups in Sweden. READ () »
Top ten tips for entrepreneurs in Sweden
Thinking of starting a business? Doubting you can make it work? The Local caught up with equity crowdfunders FundedByMe to find out what makes "just another great idea" become a successful big-earner. READ () »
Swedish woman cleared after dog towed to death
A woman in southern Sweden has been cleared of animal cruelty charges after she tied her pet dog to the towbar of her car, which was driven away by a man causing the death of the animal. READ () »
Profit hunt dampens housing construction
The challenge of finding solutions to Stockholm's housing shortage must compete with the profit margins of commercial construction companies with a vested interest in keeping property prices high, a new report has found. READ () »
'Low ambition' Achilles heel of Swedish start-ups
Despite increasing numbers of start-ups, Swedes are still less talented at taking their business to the next level, according to a new global study published on Monday. READ () »
Boxing defenders knock down ban proposal
A debate about banning professional boxing in Sweden has been reignited following Frida Wallberg's nearly fatal defeat in a title fight against Australia's Diana Prazak. READ () »
Swedes joining rebels can 'rarely be stopped'
A Säpo official has suggested Sweden is powerless to stop citizens from joining Islamist rebels in Syria even though there is a risk they will return to commit acts of terror in Sweden. READ () »
Silent buses to woo Gothenburg commuters
Swedish automaker Volvo is set to launch a fleet of silent, electric buses in Gothenburg, as part of the west coast city's aim to become climate-neutral as well as tackle noise pollution. READ () »
- 17/06 Sweden among winners of future EU-US deal »
- 17/06 Top ten tips for entrepreneurs in Sweden »
- 17/06 Swedish woman cleared after dog towed to death »
- 17/06 Assange meets Ecuador minister in London »
- 17/06 Swedish woman fakes cancer to get out of jail »
- 17/06 Swedes joining rebels can 'rarely be stopped' »
- 17/06 Silent buses to woo Gothenburg commuters »
- 17/06 Woman and child forced into 'frightening' crash »
- 17/06 'Low ambition' Achilles heel of Swedish start-ups »
- 17/06 Profit hunt dampens housing construction »
- 17/06 Assad: Europe will 'pay price' if it arms rebels »
- 17/06 'Many universities teach classes in English' »
More news from Germany at thelocal.de
- 17/06 France hits back at EU chief's 'reactionary' slur »
- 17/06 Animal rights groups slam Paris 'cat café' plan »
More news from France at thelocal.fr
More news from Norway at thelocal.no
- 17/06 Swiss scientists map rooms by miking echoes »
- 17/06 Senior dies in mountain pass motorbike crash »
More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch
In cooperation with DoToday
Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss
- Game Test Engineer
- Global Brand Manager to a medical
- Component Test Engineer - Research & Development
- Cost Controller
- Development Engineer Polymer Materials
- Global System Administrator - Roxtec
- Marketing Coordinator for a company in a fast-paced, international environment
- Senior Java Developer
- Shipping responsible
- Software Verification Engineer
This weeks results..week 24/25 »
"A weekend full of surprises and LFC football. Results look like this: Div 5 Men won 4-2, K1 lost 5-0, K2 won 2-1, Vets lost 3-2, R1 lost 4-1. Korpen Ladies play Monday night and on the 26th the Div5 Men close the first half season with the last match before the summer kicks in. /LFC " READ »
- 05/6 13:52 The Golden Thread (The Diplomatic Dispatch)
- 29/5 09:11 IKEA UK: Swedish furniture giant stomps gnomes. (Boston Blatte)
- 16/5 08:32 Be British, be sincere and be bold (Brits Mean Business)
- Game Test Engineer
- Global Brand Manager to a medical
- Component Test Engineer - Research & Development
- Cost Controller
- Development Engineer Polymer Materials
- Global System Administrator - Roxtec
- Marketing Coordinator for a company in a fast-paced, international environment
- Senior Java Developer
- Shipping responsible
- Software Verification Engineer
- 01:41 Swedish health care system
- 01:27 Gothenburg road tax
- 00:28 Study to be a Primary School Teacher
- 00:04 Swedish Citizenship Online Application Issues
- 22:22 Amazon UK item
- 21:15 Need some advice!
- 20:53 Tax ... efficiency?
- 20:44 An interesting article about hiring foreign-born
- 20:02 Online Shopping (Womens Clothing)
- 19:23 Canadian moving to Lidköping
Create an account with Banc De Binary, the world’s most reputable binary options firm, and start cashing in today! You can start by practicing with our free $50,000 demo account.
www.bbinary.com
Expat counsellor & talk therapist offers counselling for stress, relationship issues, sexuality, culture adjustment & life coaching. Private & confidential. Stockholm or Skype. Contact me today! 08-559 22 636 or
CLICK HERE
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Your comments about this article:
The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.