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Sweden's vigilance over national security has prompted suspicions surrounding the activities of a Russian Orthodox Church in Västerås, located just a short distance away from Stockholm. Swedish authorities, spurred by reports from national security forces, fear that the church may be engaging in clandestine surveillance, given its strategic positioning near significant infrastructure including an airport, water treatment plants, and energy firms.
Upon its establishment, the Västerås church did not immediately raise alarms; the building application, approved by the local planning committee in February 2017, appeared uncontroversial. However, recent developments have cast a shadow of doubt over the intentions behind the church's placement. A mere stone's throw away from the Västerås Airport—a crucial hub ready for rapid response in crisis situations—the church's location is now considered sensitive.
The alarm was sounded when Sweden's Agency for Support to Faith Communities (SST) withdrew funding from the church in May after consultations with the Swedish Security Service (SÄPO). The security agency highlighted the church representatives' questionable ties to individuals allegedly connected to Russian intelligence operations.
A SÄPO representative, featured in Politico's report, stated unequivocally that the Russian state is utilizing the Russian Orthodox Church as a medium for conducting intelligence activities on Swedish soil. Given Europe's heightened security environment post the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, these suspicions align with broader efforts to combat espionage. This is particularly pertinent as European countries have been expelling Russian embassy staff, a traditional cover for intelligence agents, prompting Russia to seek alternative methods to maintain its covert presence abroad.
Sweden's newly unveiled national security strategy in July underlines Russia as the preeminent threat to the country, coinciding with Sweden's transition into becoming a NATO member earlier in the same year. This heightened state of alert reflects the region's shifting security landscape and Sweden's increasing precautions against threats to its sovereignty and safety.
In light of these revelations, the true purpose of the Russian Orthodox Church in Västerås remains under scrutiny, as Swedish authorities diligently work to counteract any surreptitious threats within their national borders.