Prime Minister Carl Bildt said the Swedish government had filed a formal protest with the Russian ambassador in Stockholm. He said Sweden had also retracted its acceptance of a new Russian military attache in the capital.
"There is no doubt at all" about Russia's responsibility, Bildt said at a news conference. He said Sweden was considering filing formal protests with other countries but declined to name them.
The spy, Stig Bergling, returned to Sweden late Tuesday with his wife Elisabeth Sandberg, saying they were homesick after seven years on the run.
Bergling, who was convicted and jailed in 1979 for life for giving defense secrets to Moscow in the 1970s, made a dramatic escape in 1987 allegedly with Soviet help. The couple disappeared apparently into the Soviet Union.
While working for the Swedish army and intelligence agencies, Bergling turned over more than 14,700 documents to the Soviet Union in the 1970s. Sweden was forced to revamp much of its defense system after he was caught.
The couple flew home Tuesday from an unknown place of refuge. Bergling was taken into custody and debreifed.
"They were taken care of by Soviet staff" in Finland "and were taken by the Soviet Embassy and probably also by the GRU over the border," Bildt saidusing the acronym for Soviet military intelligence agency.
"There is hardly any doubt that Bergling thereafter was in the employment of the GRU and that he was so until very recently, in Lebanon," Bildt said.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.