To Counter Russian 'Trojan Horse' Network, Sweden Considers Law for Compulsory Acquisition of Real Estate

(Central News Agency, Stockholm, by reporter Ku Yung-li) Sweden's Ministry of Defence issued a press release on the 8th stating that to block Russia from acquiring property near important military facilities or infrastructure to establish a 'Trojan horse' network for intelligence and sabotage, it will study a legal amendment to allow the government to compulsorily acquire real estate of significant security importance. The measure will apply regardless of nationality to ensure Sweden's national security.

The ministry's press release noted that to strengthen Sweden's security, the government will initiate an investigation to amend the Expropriation Act, allowing the state to compulsorily acquire real estate in situations with security concerns.

Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson stated in the press release that this amendment will give the Swedish government a new tool to prevent land or property from being used for sabotage or intelligence work. He noted that similar threats have already emerged in Sweden, necessitating the legal change to react more forcefully, effectively, and quickly when needed.

He told Swedish Television (SVT) that many countries are currently increasing intelligence operations against Sweden, and that Russia and other nations are conducting operational planning against Sweden. This investigation will identify a way to amend the law that is compliant with the Swedish constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights.

The proposed amendment is related to a 2025 incident involving a church in the central Swedish city of Västerås. The local municipal government discovered that a Russian Orthodox church was situated near an airport of significant civil defense importance, and the Swedish Security Service (Säpo) warned it might be linked to the Russian state.

After an investigation confirmed the connection between the Orthodox church and the Russian state, the local government, citing security concerns, wished to compulsorily reclaim the church's property rights and submitted an application to the central government.

The proposal has also gained the support of Sweden's largest opposition party, the Social Democratic Party, which even hopes to further amend the law to prevent the government from selling militarily sensitive coastal archipelago land near Stockholm. Any such sale would require a security policy assessment.

Peter Hultqvist, the Social Democrats' defense spokesperson, told SVT that in the current situation, the government should have control over all the land it owns and not sell it casually, as it's impossible to know how the land will be used after multiple transfers. He believes that Russia and Belarus should be prevented from acquiring land in Sweden.

According to a report by the UK's Daily Telegraph in February this year, Russian spies have been acquiring various properties across Europe, forming a 'Trojan horse' network used for intelligence and sabotage operations.

According to an investigation, this network in the Nordic region includes the church in central Sweden, churches and holiday cabins in Norway, and warehouses and residences in Finland. In Finland, they even bought an entire island, Sakkiluoto, to build a secret military base.

Finland banned Russians and Belarusians from buying real estate in July 2025. The Baltic states of Lithuania and Latvia have similar legislation, and Estonia's ban will take effect next year. (Editor: Wei Shu) 1150609