Prisoner of war from Sweden released

 

Russia's invasion of Ukraine Ann Linde on Swedish prisoner of war: "The government has worked intensively" 

 

Of: 

 

Oskar Forsberg 

 

Emelie Svensson 

 

Published: Today 18.31 

 

Updated: Less than 20 min ago 

 

NEWS 

 

Sweden's foreign minister Ann Linde (S) called a press conference in New York this evening. 

 

This is due to the fact that a Swedish prisoner of war in Ukraine was released by Russia. 

 

- He is now on his way home to Sweden, Linde announced. 

 

A total of ten prisoners have reportedly been released in a prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine, which took place in the Saudi capital Riyadh today. 

 

Among those released are American, British, Swedish, Croatian and Moroccan citizens. On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Ann Linde confirmed to Aftonbladet that the Swede had been released. 

 

- Now this prisoner exchange is happily completed and the Swede is on his way home. We welcome that.

 

 

Ann Linde confirms to the press in New York. Photo: Emelie Svensson 

 

Thanks Saudi prince 

 

Behind the scenes, the government has worked intensively on the matter, according to Linde. 

 

In recent months, she has raised the case repeatedly with Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine's foreign minister, and he is said to have been personally involved. 

 

Early on Wednesday morning, Ann Linde called her Saudi colleague to thank her on behalf of Sweden, as he is the key person who mediated with Russia. 

 

- We are deeply grateful for Ukraine's commitment and help, and also express our warm thanks to Saudi Arabia and the crown prince who made the exchange possible, Ann Linde said on location in New York where she is participating in the UN high-level meeting. 

 

 

Today's hero? Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is said to have helped with the release. Photo: Lewis Joly / AP / TT

Condemns the Russian processes 

 

Foreign Minister Linde underlines that the Russian "judicial process" in Donetsk has lacked legitimacy and condemns it. The Swede should have the right to prisoner of war status, and therefore not be punished in the conflict, she emphasizes. 

 

To Aftonbladet, the foreign minister says that she has not yet communicated directly with the 47-year-old. However, she feels great relief at the news that he has been released. 

 

- We have many difficult consular cases, it is one of the most difficult things you can work with as foreign minister. When at some point you can announce that "this time it has gone well", it is of course very positive.

 

 

Five British, one Moroccan, one Swedish, one Croatian and two American prisoners of war have been released by Russia. Here they are seen at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Photo: Saudi Press Agency/Handout via REUTERS/TT 

 

Risked the death penalty 

 

The Swedish prisoner is a 47-year-old man who was accused of taking part in combat as a mercenary and faced the death penalty in the trial, which was due to continue in early October. 

 

The man was detained by Russian forces in May and arrested after fighting alongside Ukrainian soldiers in the battle for the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol in eastern Ukraine.