Swedish diplomat suspected of spying found dead
On Monday, the Swedish Security Service (Sapo) announced the arrest, but gave no details about the case or the suspect's identity.
The following day, broadcaster SVT said the man arrested was a top diplomat.
On Wednesday, prosecutors released him from custody but said that he was still a suspect.
"We regret to confirm that a member of the foreign service has died. Out of consideration for the next of kin, we will not go into further details," the foreign ministry said in a statement today.
Meanwhile, Newspaper Expressen reported that the man who had been found dead overnight was the one who had been detained on suspicion of spying.
Anton Strand, the suspect's lawyer, said this week that his client denied the allegations against him and maintained "that he has done nothing wrong".
Mr Strand also said his client had gone to a hospital after being released on Wednesday and reported police for using excessive force during his arrest, but did not provide details about the extent of the injuries.
SVT also reported this week that Sapo was investigating whether the case was connected to a scandal that hit Swedish national security adviser Tobias Thyberg.
He resigned within hours of his 8 May appointment after "sensitive" photos of him from dating app Grindr were sent anonymously to media and the government.
SVT, which has not specified its sources, said the diplomat arrested was not Mr Thyberg, who served as Sweden's ambassador to Ukraine and Afghanistan among other positions over a 24-year career.
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Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Irish Independent
From the Kerry archives, July 7, 2000: Courtroom fight, Ballybunion runs out of beer & Kelly talks GAA Presidency
Brawl breaks out in Tralee courtroom A mass brawl erupted in Tralee District Court on Wednesday morning moments after four defendants, including a 15-year-old boy and 16-year-old girl, were sentenced for their involvement in a high speed car chase through the town during which a Garda patrol vehicle was rammed. The incident appeared to be sparked when a woman who had been sitting in the public gallery attacked the girl, who had been the only defendant not to receive a custodial sentence. Within seconds, between 12 and 15 members of the public were fighting, with punches being thrown as people climbed over the court benches to join in the fracas. In the midst of the melee, the girl was pushed or struck to the ground. As the rest of the courtroom looked on in amazement, five Gardaí attempted to restore order. At least one man involved in the fight tried unsuccessfully to punch a Garda. One man was arrested as a result of the incident. As he was handcuffed and led away, he shouted-obscenities at both the legal system and the Gardai who he accused of trying to lynch him. When the fighting broke out, Judge Humphrey Kelleher immediately left the courtroom. The case, which arose out of an incident in the early hours of Wednesday morning, had earlier been described as extremely serious by prosecuting Inspector Barry O'Rourke, who said that it was part of the current rash of car thefts plaguing Tralee. Ballybunion runs out of beer during Irish Open Bring back the Murphy's Irish Open as soon as possible! That was the unanimous verdict this week from Ballybunion's business community — particularly its publicans, many of whom ran out of beer on Saturday night as thousands of thirsty punters thronged the North Kerry resort over the weekend. Ballybunion's debut as host club for the 2000 Irish Open was widely regarded as a resounding success. Murphy's Managing Director, Padraic Liston, declared it 'the best ever' as he handed the winner's trophy to 29-year-old Swedish golfer Patrik Sjöland beside the 18th green on Sunday afternoon. Already, the business people of the town have declared that they want the tournament back within the next few years. But committee member Fintan Scannell said the club must wait until agronomist Tom Kavanagh assesses what damage was done to the course by the estimated 40,000 spectators who followed the tournament over four days. Chairman of Ballybunion Development Company Kevin O'Callaghan said everyone involved in the tournament, particularly the Gardaí, who drew up an excellent traffic plan, could take a bow this weekend. "Ballybunion has proven itself now and there is no reason why we couldn't host another major golf tournament in the future," he said. A spectacular fireworks display and a street theatre production on Saturday night brough thousands of people into the town after the day's golf. Treasurer of the local vinter association, John Dee, said it was the biggest weekend the town had experienced in over thirty years. "I've never seen anything like the crowds. We had run out of cider, Budweiser and Heineken on Saturday night and so did other pubs. From a vintners point of view, we'd love to have it back. Fintan Scannell said the golf club may now set its sights on hosting the next Walker Cup in 2005. Kelly to seek GAA Presidency Kerry's Sean Kelly, current chairman of the Munster Council confirmed to The Kerryman on Wednesday that he would be allowing his name go forward for Presidency of the GAA in two years time. Mr Kelly, who withdrew from the race last year in order to give former Minister Council chairman Noel Walsh a 'free run', said that upon withdrawing from the race then, he had indicated that it was his intention to run for the Presidency next time round. "Once I am nominated by the Kerry County Board, I will be going for the Presidency," he said. "We have never had a Kerry President of the Association and if I'm nominated, I will be making an all-out effort to be elected. The nomination is not due to come up for another year but it's fairly well accepted that I would run.'
The Irish Sun
01-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
How revered charity leader groomed and raped a 12-year-old boy then told twisted pal it was ‘naughty and kinky'
STEPHEN IRELAND was a popular LGBT activist, who co-founded Surrey Pride and held the important position of its head of safeguarding. But he will now spend 8 Stephen Ireland, who co-founded Pride in Surrey in 2018, raped a 12-year-old boy he met on dating app Grindr Credit: X 8 Ireland was sentenced to 24 years in prison Credit: Surrey Police I was in Guildford Crown Court on Monday to watch Judge Patricia Lees hand Ireland, 42, his sentence, which included a further six years on extended licence. His 27-year-old boyfriend and flatmate, David Sutton, was jailed for four and half years for his part in the sickening ordeal. The boy — referred to in court as Child A — who had been reported missing at the time, had been lured to Ireland's home in Surrey after meeting him on the popular In a carefully calculated move, Ireland provided the boy with a set of instructions and a key code to his flat, to avoid being seen together in public. The boy, tired and hungry, was given a bong to smoke, which was later found to be laced with methamphetamine, while pornography played on a laptop. Then he was raped by Ireland and the assault filmed, for the sadistic enjoyment of their cohorts. The four-week trial followed an extensive investigation by Surrey Police's Complex Abuse Unit. 'Keep it a secret' It began following the reported rape, which led to Ireland's arrest in April 2024. A search of a phone hidden in his flat revealed Ireland and Sutton were both arrested on June 11, 2024, for distribution and possession of indecent images of children, and on August 14, 2024, charges were authorised for 44 offences (later increased to 45) relating to both, covering the period between August 2022 and July 2024. Ireland's full list of crimes is horrifying. He was also convicted of three counts of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, sexual assault, conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child, facilitating a child sexual offence, six counts of making child abuse imagery, distributing pornographic images of children, and possession of one of the most serious child abuse images, involving a toddler. Sutton, who was a Surrey Pride volunteer, was sentenced for offences including voyeurism and possession and distribution of prohibited images of children. He was also sentenced for perverting the course of justice for disposing of a phone owned by Surrey Pride (supposedly used for Pride business only). On a separate device, police found a message from Ireland to Sutton, telling him to wipe all the images and messages off the Pride handset. That device has never been found. Child A had originally told Ireland he was 17, but when he later claimed in a message that he was 13, Ireland replied: 'OK — we just have to keep it a secret.' Sickeningly, he later told the boy he found his young age 'naughty and kinky'. Other messages between Ireland and Sutton described the child as a '14-year-old baby . . . who wants to play with men's bodies'. 8 Ireland's 27-year-old boyfriend and accomplice, David Sutton, was jailed for four and half years for his part in the sickening ordeal Credit: Facebook 8 Judge Patricia Lees said Ireland and Sutton, pictured, 'fed off one another' and had supported one another in their 'perversions' Credit: Surrey Police Judge Patricia Lees said Ireland and Sutton 'fed off one another' and had supported one another in their 'perversions'. She said: 'Stephen Ireland is a man who prided himself on being versed in and highly alive to the vulnerabilities of young people linked to the Surrey Pride organisation he was at the time pivotal to. ''A' was quite obviously to any adult an extremely vulnerable child who was highly sexualised. 'Any responsible adult would have quickly appreciated that there was a high likelihood 'A' is a young man who had been the subject of sexual grooming by adult men at a very early age and been concerned for him instead of taking advantage.' It is clear that Ireland, who co-founded Surrey Pride in 2018, used his position to gain access to young people and children. He was once so revered by the community, he was chauffeured around by Surrey Police in its 'Pride Car'. But some volunteers had complained after feeling uneasy about the young age of his then boyfriend. 8 I was in Guildford Crown Court on Monday to watch Judge Patricia Lees hand Ireland, 42, his sentence Credit: Facebook 8 So militant were Ireland's views on trans rights he targeted gender critical feminists, including the author JK Rowling Credit: Facebook One of those, Eve — not her real name — told me: 'There were some volunteers that raised concerns and there was a full safeguarding investigation, which was also escalated up to Surrey County Council. 'They had a huge issue about the fact that Ireland had a younger boyfriend, but he was above the age of 18, so that was that.' Ireland was also involved in the Pride Hub, which encouraged young people to join in-person social events. There is video footage of him sitting with an older 'trans woman' telling kids they could 'have sweets and popcorn' if they came along to a film screening. He also gave talks to schools. Throughout his time at the helm of Surrey Pride, Ireland waged a harassment campaign against Policing and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, which included lobbying for her removal from office, and regularly referring to her as 'anti-trans' and 'exclusionary' in public. So militant were his views on trans rights, he targeted gender critical feminists, including author JK Rowling, who had spoken out against transitioning children, and for the protection of women-only spaces. 8 Rowling posted on X about his sentence on Monday Credit: X 8 Campaigner Maria Esposito believes Surrey Pride should now be shut down for 'safeguarding failures' Credit: Alamy In June 2020, Ireland tweeted: 'How to ruin a legacy . . . Become a TERF! Very disappointing JK!' Rowling posted on X about his 30-year sentence on Monday. Maria Esposito, an LGB campaigner since the 1980s and an attendee of the inaugural Surrey Pride, expressed unease about how quickly Ireland appeared to embed both himself and Pride within mainstream institutions. She said: 'Watching them gain access to Surrey County Council, Surrey Police and local radio stations was deeply concerning.' Esposito believes Surrey Pride should now be shut down.
The Irish Sun
01-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Pride group founder, 42, who raped 12-year-old boy he met on dating app Grindr is jailed alongside partner
A PRIDE group founder who raped a 12-year-old boy he met on the Grindr dating app has been locked up alongside his partner. Stephen Ireland, who co-founded Pride in Surrey in 2018, raped an 'extremely vulnerable' boy and has been jailed for 24 years. 4 Stephen Ireland, who co-founded Pride in Surrey in 2018 Credit: Facebook 4 Ireland told the boy they would have to keep his age a "secret" and found his young age "exciting", the court heard Credit: Facebook 4 Stephen Ireland was sentenced to 24 years in prison Credit: Surrey Police The 42-year-old raped the child at a flat he shared with his then-partner and co-defendant David Sutton, 27, in Addlestone on April 19 2024. The court heard Ireland had arranged for the 12-year-old boy, referred to in court as Child A, to meet him at his flat after messaging on dating app Ireland told the boy they would have to keep his age a "secret" and found his young age "exciting", the court heard. The boy, who had been reported missing at the time, told police they had sex in the flat, smoked a bong which was later found to have contained methamphetamine, and that pornography was played on a laptop. Read more Judge Patricia Lees, sentencing at Guildford Crown Court on Monday, told the hearing Ireland 'took advantage' of a vulnerable child. She said: 'Stephen Ireland is a man who prided himself on being versed in and highly alive to the vulnerabilities of young people linked to the Surrey Pride organisation he was at the time pivotal to. 'A was quite obviously to any adult an extremely vulnerable child who was highly sexualised. 'Any responsible adult would have quickly appreciated that there was a high likelihood A is a young man who had been the subject of sexual grooming by adult men at a very early age and been concerned for him instead of taking advantage of him.' Most read in The Sun The court heard the boy had initially told Ireland he was aged 17 – but when he later claimed to be aged 13, Ireland replied: 'OK – we just have to keep it a secret.' 'Your response was telling,' Judge Lees told Ireland, who sat in the dock dressed in a large red T-shirt and showed no emotions throughout the hearing. 'Far from finding that repugnant, you found that exciting, and sought to do it again.' In a Telegram chat that took place after their encounter, Ireland sent Child A a message in which he described his age as 'naughty and kinky', the court heard. On the same day, Ireland asked the boy if he would have a threesome and sent the child pictures of himself and Sutton. Jurors heard that Ireland sent a picture of Child A to Sutton, describing him as a '14-year-old baby' who 'wants to play with men's bodies', and the pair exchanged messages about the child. Ireland and Sutton, who was a volunteer for Surrey Pride, were found guilty of a string of sexual offences against children. These included voyeurism, arranging commission of a child sex offence, and possession of prohibited images of children, after a trial at Guildford Crown Court earlier this year. In August 2022, Ireland and Sutton discussed arrangements to procure a 13-year-old boy for Sutton's 25th birthday in October of that year, the court heard. Both men were also sentenced on one count each of voyeurism after Ireland watched live camera footage of Sutton having sex with another 16-year-old boy at their flat in March 2024. The teenager did not know he was being recorded, with Ireland sending Sutton messages such as 'he doesn't know I'm here' and telling him what to do, the court heard. 'You fed off one another,' Judge Lees told the defendants during the sentence hearing on Monday. 'You definitely supported one another in your perversions.' Ireland and Sutton also perverted the course of justice by intentionally deleting material and search history from their phones after they were released on police bail in June 2024. Ireland was sentenced to 24 years' imprisonment, with a further six on extended licence. He was found guilty of one count of rape, three counts of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, sexual assault, conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child, arranging commission of a child sex offence, six counts of making indecent photographs of children, four counts of distributing indecent photographs of children, possession of prohibited images, and possession of an extreme pornographic image. Sutton was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in jail for offences including voyeurism, possession and distribution of prohibited images of children, and perverting the course of justice. Ireland's defence lawyer Alex Kirkler told the court his client did not abuse his position within the Surrey Pride organisation to commit these offences. 4 The 42-year-old raped the child at a flat Credit: Facebook
