Swedish security expert warns of serious gaps after reporter infiltrates prime minister’s inner circle

A Swedish intelligence and security expert has called for urgent reforms after a journalist posing under a false identity gained access to Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s closest circle, Swedish public broadcaster SVT reports.

Jörgen Holmlund, a security specialist, described the breach—revealed Tuesday by Aftonbladet—as a serious incident, emphasizing that the consequences could have been severe had the intruder been an attacker rather than a reporter. “This could have gone very badly if it hadn’t been an investigative journalist,” he told SVT’s Aktuellt program.

The reporter, working for Aftonbladet, successfully infiltrated the prime minister’s network by volunteering under a false name for Birgitta Ed’s foundation, a charity linked to Kristersson’s wife. No additional security checks were conducted.

Holmlund warned that Sweden’s political leadership faces genuine threats, particularly given the country’s defense industry exports to Ukraine. Citing 502 recorded incidents last year—including sabotage and preparations for sabotage linked to Russia against European defense industries—he stressed that Swedish officials remain potential targets.

“If the goal is to disrupt our industrial production, political relations, or arms deliveries to Ukraine, then it is in Russia’s interest to target Swedish leadership,” Holmlund said. He urged authorities to treat the security lapse with greater seriousness, calling for immediate reviews to strengthen protections.

Kristersson, however, downplayed concerns in comments to SVT, stating he felt “very secure” with his current security arrangements.