On Lidingö outside Stockholm there is a house that Russia uses even though they have not owned it for almost ten years. SVT has revealed that the house is also used by suspected spies.
There is a similar house in Poland, which Russia also used for a long time without paying for it. But a few days ago, Polish authorities stepped in and took over the property.
– It should be possible to do the same in Sweden. After all, Poland has shown that there is acceptance in the international community for doing what they have done. It is also the only reasonable thing in this situation, says Joar Forssell (L), foreign policy spokesperson and member of the Riksdag’s foreign affairs committee.
The government believes that the house should be protected
Foreign Minister Tobias Billström (M) has previously said that the property on Lidingö must be protected, because diplomats live there.
– 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, he says.
But he does not get Joar Forssell’s approval.
– Russia systematically violates all international conventions and laws, Poland is doing exactly the right thing. This cannot be accepted, you have to put hard against hard, he says.
Support from professor
Even a professor of international law that SVT has spoken to believes that Sweden could act and now Forssell is demanding that the government do as in Poland.
– I do not think that Russia should be allowed to dictate how we should act on our territory. Sweden must do like Poland. Take the house back from Russia and throw out those who are there, he says.
SVT has contacted Foreign Minister Tobias Billström, who via his press secretary declines to comment further on the matter.