The National Operations Department, supported by the national task force, searched the premises and seized documents, computers, and other materials. Prosecutor Sara Nilsson said the operation was brought forward to Thursday due to urgency. "It was urgent to secure evidence and interview people without them influencing each other," she said. The suspects, who hold leading positions at the plant, are accused of violating international sanctions between 2023 and their arrest. Both deny wrongdoing, but Nilsson stated, "There is strong suspicion against a person." The lower degree of suspicion applies, and the prosecutor will decide by Sunday whether to request their continued detention. Kubal, Sweden's only aluminum producer, is owned by Cypriot company Libertatem Materials Ltd, which is controlled by Russian aluminum giant Rusal and En+ Group. Deripaska, a close ally of Vladimir Putin, is in the ownership chain. The investigation likely stems from two large dividends totaling about 940 million kronor paid by Kubal in 2023 and 2024, which were scrutinized by the Tax Agency. According to the Tax Agency, money was funneled via Libertatem Materials, possibly acting as a front, to a company in Qatar and then potentially to Russia, benefiting its war chest. Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenegard called the allegations serious, emphasizing that the government prioritizes sanctions compliance to counter Russia's war against Ukraine. Kubal has halted deliveries but continues production, a decision the company made independently. Nilsson noted that no prosecutor can order a stop to deliveries. Lars-Inge Arwidson, secretary general of Swedish Aluminum, told SVT Västernorrland that the situation cannot continue indefinitely and that stopping production incorrectly could destroy the plant. The industry body has paused Kubal's board participation due to irregularities. Municipal councilor Niklas Säwén, according to SVT Västernorrland, expressed concern for the 450 employees, the municipality, and subcontractors, saying it is not desirable for them to be drawn into a geopolitical game. He stressed the need to ease employee worries while ensuring continued production.
In a separate case, a bribery investigation involving the Stockholm traffic administration has led to five suspects and the seizure of SEK 6 million. Police raided several addresses on Tuesday, arresting four people on suspicion of aggravated bribery. Another person was arrested the following day. One suspect is an employee of the traffic administration, which has suspended affected staff, halted payments to involved companies, and is reviewing financial transactions. The administration said it has no direct contract with the company from which the money was seized; it acted as a subcontractor. Erik Norling, head of the traffic administration, said, "If individual persons have abused their trust and taxpayers' money, it is very serious. We have taken the measures at our disposal and are now systematically analyzing the situation." The crimes allegedly occurred between January 2023 and December 2024. Three suspects were released on Thursday, but suspicions remain. Stockholm Local Transport confirmed it stopped all financial transactions with companies under investigation.
If individual persons have abused their trust and taxpayers' money, it is very serious. We have taken the measures at our disposal and are now systematically analyzing the situation and, if necessary, strengthening our controls as more information becomes available.
The Economic Crime Authority detained Günther Mårder, chairman of Spotlight Group, on suspicion of gross insider crimes during 2024–2026. Mårder was arrested earlier in the week in an operation where five people were initially taken in; another person was arrested but later released. Chief prosecutor Thomas Hertz said the suspicions involve serious economic crime, and the investigation will continue with analysis of seizures and interviews. Spotlight Group stated it has no reason to believe the matter concerns the company. Mårder is a well-known figure in Swedish savings and business circles.
Three police officers and a Säpo employee have been charged with misconduct for using their badges to evade fares at a Stockholm commuter station. Surveillance footage captured the incidents, which occurred within about two weeks. Chief prosecutor Per Nichols said the primary charge is misconduct because they misused their position by claiming to be on duty, not the 43-kronor fare. According to Dagens Nyheter, the Säpo woman described a culture of police riding free by showing badges and did not consider herself on duty when doing so.
Prosecutor Peter Salzberg wrote that police should spend as much time and resources working on the case as they do 'whining and complaining and sabotaging the investigation through constant staff changes'.
Over three years after about a hundred Thai berry pickers reported exploitation, the investigation has stalled due to a breakdown between police and prosecutor. The workers alleged false insurance, forced labor when sick, and excessive hours, leaving many more indebted. In early 2025, authorities traveled to Thailand for interviews, but afterward cooperation collapsed. According to Dagens Nyheter, prosecutor Peter Salzberg criticized police for "whining and complaining and sabotaging the investigation," while police chief Pontus Fälldin accused the former prosecutor of incompetence. Senior prosecutor Thomas Häggström is now involved to move the case forward.
Säpo is investigating threats against its protected persons, with two people arrested in the Stockholm area. The suspects are held for unlawful threats made in April. Säpo spokesperson Jonathan Svensson declined to detail the threats or targets, citing secrecy. According to Aftonbladet, chief prosecutor Per Lindqvist said the two remain suspected after questioning.
Salzberg questioned the efficiency of police work, stating there was no reason to send seven police investigators, two prosecutors, and legal counsel to Thailand if the interviews would not be transcribed.
Other cases include charges against two former Sweco employees for gross bribery of a Ukrainian official, four people charged with preparation for gross robbery, and two with gross defamation. The preliminary investigation into a hotel death in Stockholm has been closed. The prosecution authority also dropped charges against Sture Bergwall in the "tent murders" case and released two detainees while investigations continue.
Academic research highlights sparse CCTV studies in Sweden. A doctoral thesis financed by the Foundation for Baltic and East European Studies questions whether British CCTV models apply to countries like Sweden. Only one Polish study exists, showing Warsaw's system efficiency does not match proprietors' claims. Swedish research beyond evaluation studies is limited, with previous work focusing on crime policy discourse and ICT history.
The Säpo woman referred to a culture of police riding free by showing badges; when asked if she tried to verify the rules, she said it was not relevant.
She stated she does not consider herself on duty when showing the badge; her duty starts when she arrives at work.
Municipal councilor Niklas Säwén (S) says the situation creates worry for employees, the municipality, and subcontractors; it is not desirable for 450 employees to be drawn into a geopolitical game.
Säwén agrees it is problematic; his focus is on easing employee worries and ensuring continued aluminum production.
Säwén says a Swedish government must always protect industrial production but also ensure effective sanctions against Russia.
Lars-Inge Arwidson, secretary general of Swedish Aluminum, says they cannot keep this up indefinitely.
Stopping production is risky and could destroy the plant if done incorrectly, according to Arwidson.
Two people have been brought in for questioning and remain suspected, according to chief prosecutor Per Lindqvist.
Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenegard (M) commented that the allegations are serious; the government prioritizes sanctions compliance to counter Russia's war against Ukraine.