A recent investigation by Uppdrag Granskning and Göteborgs-Posten has revealed that the Chinese journalist Xuefei Chen Axelsson managed to issue Swedish ID cards for over a decade. This alarming revelation highlights potential security threats, as Swedish authorities have classified her as a serious risk to national security.
Xuefei Chen Axelsson had worked as a journalist in Sweden for nearly 20 years before her deportation, which came with a lifetime ban on returning to the country. According to the Swedish Security Service (Säpo), she engaged in activities deemed threatening to Sweden’s security.
Press card issuance
In addition to her journalistic work, Uppdrag Granskning uncovered that Chen Axelsson issued certified Swedish ID cards in the form of press cards through an organization for foreign correspondents, known as Profoca. She served as the chairperson of this organization since 2012.
Ric Wasserman, a former member of Profoca, stated, “She was the one who initiated the process for us to be recognized as an organization that could issue press cards.” This raises questions about the integrity of the press card system that grants access to sensitive government events.
Allegations of intelligence ties
According to confidential sources, Säpo considers Chen Axelsson a resource for the Chinese intelligence service. This raises serious concerns about whether the Chinese intelligence may have used her position to issue Swedish ID cards indirectly. Fredrik Hallström, the operational chief at Säpo, commented, “I cannot discuss the specifics of individual cases or the activities of the individual in this matter.”
Profoca’s controversy
According to Sweden’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Profoca could only issue press cards to journalists approved by the international press center. These press cards granted foreign journalists access to classified press conferences and high-security areas.
However, internal emails from 2010 show strong reactions from the Ministry regarding Profoca’s issuance of press cards to individuals who were not professional journalists. The ministry described it as “unacceptable” that Profoca, alongside its certified cards, unilaterally issued “fake” press cards to unvetted individuals.
Denial of allegations
Xuefei Chen Axelsson denies all allegations suggesting that she poses a security threat. In a statement to Uppdrag Granskning, she asserted that press card applications required additional signatures from another person, and that Profoca only issued press cards to members approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after she became chairperson. She noted that all unapproved press cards were retracted.
Source: SVT
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