A man has been detained in Sweden on suspicion of spying on members of the Uyghur community on behalf of Chinese intelligence services, according to the Swedish Prosecution Authority.
On Wednesday 9 April 2025, a Swedish court ordered the man held in custody while investigations continue. The individual’s nationality has not been disclosed, and no further details have been provided about whether the case involves Uyghurs residing in Sweden or in other countries.
“The man is suspected of having illegally collected information and intelligence on people in the Uyghur environment on behalf of the Chinese intelligence service,” said prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist in a statement.
Court documents confirm that the man is currently being held in Stockholm.
The Chinese embassy in Sweden said to Reuter that it was not aware of the case and declined to comment further.
The Uyghurs, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group, primarily live in China’s Xinjiang region. Human rights organisations have accused the Chinese government of serious rights violations against the Uyghur population. In 2022, a United Nations report concluded that China’s actions in Xinjiang—described as “arbitrary and discriminatory detention” of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities—may amount to crimes against humanity.
Beijing has rejected the allegations, accusing Western nations of spreading misinformation and interfering in China’s internal affairs.
Source: Reuter
