Military police arrested two men at Norrbotten’s air fleet in Luleå yesterday.
According to information to TV4 Nyheterna, they are Lithuanian citizens and are suspected of having flown drones over the protected object.
Norrbotten’s air fleet is part of the Swedish Air Force.
On Sunday, military police allegedly discovered a drone over the main base in Luleå, also called F 21, and arrested two men, according to information given to TV4 Nyheterna.
– I cannot comment on this case, says Jesper Sundström, head of communications at F 21.
The facility is a protected object where photography is prohibited with increased security on site.
– I cannot comment on which protected object it is other than that it is in Luleå municipality, says public prosecutor Moa Ejnerstrand.
Seized: Drones and other electronics
According to information to TV4 Nyheterna, the drone and other electronics have been confiscated. The arrested men are citizens of Lithuania and in their 20s and 50s, according to the data.
– I can confirm that they are EU citizens. They haven’t heard from defenders yet, but that will be done tomorrow. Investigative measures are underway, says Moa Ejnerstrand.
On Monday, they were arrested for violating the Protection Act. According to routine, the Security Police was informed about the incident.
– The criminal suspicion is illegal depiction of protected objects. That deed includes drawing, photographing or filming.
Large security effort ahead of the EU meeting
An EU meeting will be held in Luleå on Tuesday and Wednesday. Top politicians from the Union and the United States will meet during a major security effort. According to information given to TV4 Nyheterna, Säpo and several hundred police officers are participating in the operation. There will also be a no-fly zone over the whole of Luleå, while large parts of the city are cordoned off from today.
The prosecutor does not want to comment on whether the drone flight may have any connection with the summit.
– I cannot confirm or deny whether there is any connection, says Moa Ejnerstrand.
The security police cannot comment on the matter but refer to the police. Christina Lehto at the Norrbotten Police is tight-lipped but says that an investigation is underway against two suspects.
Deputy commanding officer in the effort on the summit, Kenneth Bergquist, does not want to comment on the drone case.
TV4 Nyheterna has applied to the Armed Forces’ central communications department.
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