The Court of Appeal began proceedings against two brothers who were convicted of aggravated espionage on Monday morning. During the first day, the parties’ requests and preferences will be discussed, as well as the opening part of the prosecutor’s presentation of the case. It’s been a year and a half since Peyman Kia’s arrest, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for espionage despite his denial. His younger brother, Payam Kia, was jailed for nine years and 10 months. Both brothers requested acquittal at the beginning of the appeal hearing. Most of the proceedings will be held behind closed doors due to the sensitive nature of the evidence and witnesses’ protected identities. The prosecution side notes that the schedule must be strictly adhered to due to the extensive security apparatus in place. The court will have insights into the activities of Swedish security and intelligence services, which is unique. Before the appeal court proceedings, Peyman has admitted parts of the crime description and says he was contacted by Russia’s foreign intelligence service SVR. During interrogation, he has also requested to speak with the Security Police.
On Monday morning, the proceedings began in the Court of Appeal against the two brothers who were convicted of aggravated espionage. During the first day in court, the parties’ requests and preferences will be discussed, as well as the opening part of the prosecutor’s presentation of the case.
A year and a half has passed since Peyman Kia, 42, was arrested early in the morning on September 20, 2021 in Uppsala. A few days later, he was taken into custody, and he has been in restricted custody ever since. After the trial last fall Despite his denial, he was sentenced in January to life imprisonment for espionage. His younger brother, Payam Kia, 35, was jailed for nine years and 10 months for aggravated espionage. He is also in custody with restrictions. Both brothers requested acquittal at the beginning of the appeal hearing in security room 2 of the Stockholm District Court.
Most of it behind closed doors
Just like in the district court, the majority of the appeal court hearings will be held behind closed doors, as a large part of the evidence is subject to strict secrecy and many witnesses have protected identities. A total of nine trial days are scheduled. The prosecution side points out that it is important that the schedule is strictly adhered to on all days given the extensive security apparatus that is in place to keep the identities of the witnesses secret as they make their way to and from court.
– During the closed part, the court will get an insight into the activities of the Swedish security service and the Swedish intelligence service in a way that is completely unique, you will have access to material that is among the most sensitive that exists in this operation, says prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist in court.
Has confessed in new interrogations
Before the appeal court proceedings, Peyman has Kia admitted parts of the crime description and says he was contacted by Russia’s foreign intelligence service SVR but that the handover of classified documents was made to the military intelligence service GRU. During interrogation, he has also requested to speak with the Security Police.
Javascript must be enabled to play video