The circumscribed seven-story building on Lidingö is used by Russian intelligence officers who act under diplomatic cover, SVT Nyheter og Uppdrag review revealed this spring.
The dispute about the “Russian house” has been going on for many years. Now Stefan Häge, who is a co-owner of the real estate company that owns the house, is taking the next step – and is suing the Russian Federation for just over SEK 16 million, which The Express reported if.
The reason is that the Russian tenants never paid any rent, while Stefan Häge never got access to the property, which was bought at an executive auction in 2014.
“The Russian Federation has not vacated the property, not paid any rent or deposited rent for the use. The Russian Federation has also not provided security for the use or participated in drawing up lease agreements,” the application for summons states.
Critical of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
It is not the first time that the dispute has ended up in the district court and both Stefan Häge and the city of Lidingö have accused the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of protecting Russian interests.
– It is sad not to be allowed to dispose of one’s own property – and that Sweden accepts it, Häge has previously said.
But Foreign Minister Tobias Billström (M) believes that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs acted according to current rules because the house is used by diplomats.
– We must ensure that it is protected and that the people staying there are treated with dignity. It is a commitment we have made according to the Vienna Convention. If we want our Swedish diplomats and our envoys to be treated with dignity. It’s about mutual exchanges, he told SVT in April.