MOSCOW. Nov 11 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has declined to comment on information that the Swedish authorities intend to expel two Russian diplomats from Sweden on suspicion of industrial espionage.
"In accordance with current practice, the Foreign Intelligence Service does not comment on such information," SVR spokesman Boris Labusov told Interfax on Monday.
Earlier, information was received from Stockholm that the Swedish government had decided to expel two Russian diplomats. The Russian embassy has already been notified of the fact that two Russian diplomats have been declared personae non grata for activities incompatible with their diplomatic status. There is information that the diplomats have already left the country.
The Swedish media previously reported that the Russian diplomats are accused of trying to obtain classified information from Swedish telecommunications giant Eriksson.
Three company employees were arrested on November 6 on suspicion of transmission of classified information. In addition, two other company employees were suspended from work on suspicion of violating safety regulations. An Eriksson representative then said that "limited damage" was inflicted and the detainees were not top managers.
Eriksson is one of the world's largest mobile phone producers. The company also develops a missile guidance system for the newest JAS-39 Gripen military planes.
In the meantime, independent Russian foreign policy experts have pointed out that the spy story began to unfold in the Swedish media last week and that Swedish officials later announced that they did not intend to expel any foreign diplomats from the country.
Now that the situation has changed, one of the experts asked the following question: "Is this difference in actions a reflection of a fight in Swedish ruling circles and a desire of some circles in Sweden to complicate relations with Russia?"
"If this is the case, one can only express regret about such attempts," he said.
"Intelligence has always existed and will always exist," the expert said.
"Name just one developed country which does not carry out intelligence work. And if we are really talking about some mistake made by one of the sides, the existing practice makes it possible to solve these problems without leaks to the media," he said.