INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Two Swedish brothers, one a former intelligence official, went on trial in Stockholm on Friday accused of "aggravated espionage" for
allegedly spying for Russia's GRU military intelligence service between 2011 and 2021."This case is unique in many ways ..
We haven't had a trial like this in more than 20 years," prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist told the court in his opening statement.He said the
"detrimental to Sweden's national security."Defendants Payam and Peyman Kia risk life sentences if found guilty
Most of the trial will be held behind closed doors."The court will have insight into material that very few in this country have seen or
have access to," Ljungqvist said.On Friday, prosecutors made brief introductory statements before the judge ordered reporters out of the
courtroom.Payam Kia is aged 35 and his brother is 42, according to the charge sheet
They are of Iranian origin, according to Swedish media reports.Peyman Kia, who appeared calm in court dressed in a dark suit and tie, has
record, Dagens Nyheter, he at one point worked for the Office for Special Information Gathering (KSI), the most secret section of the
military secret service.He is accused of illegally acquiring information during his employment with Sapo and the armed forcesPayam Kia is
accused of "participating in the planning of the deed and handling contacts with Russia and the GRU, including the handover of information
and receiving compensation."Bearded and dressed in the Swedish jail system's green overalls, he hid his face as he entered the courtroom
They told the court on Friday that their clients denied the charges.The prosecutors requested that much of the material in the case be
classified even after the end of the trial, due to its sensitive nature.The names of several witnesses, including those working for the
Swedish military and security police and who have access to vast amounts of classified information, will also be kept secret.The case is
expected to continue until Dec
