A suspect has been apprehended in Portugal, accused of espionage after he attempted to sell a laptop belonging to a Swedish soldier to Russian officials. The arrest occurred against the backdrop of a NATO conference held in February 2025 in Lisbon, which attracted personnel from various nations. The suspect, a 23-year-old man, allegedly checked into a hotel where NATO staff were staying, stole a computer and an iPad belonging to a member of the Swedish marines, and sought to exploit the materials for sensitive information.

Once in possession of the laptop, the suspect reportedly believed he had acquired confidential documents and tried to duplicate the contents before attempting to sell the devices at the Russian embassy. However, his efforts were unsuccessful. During police interrogations, the man claimed to be affiliated with a criminal organization engaged in espionage activities, although this information later turned out to be false, as confirmed by the prosecution authority.

This incident highlights increasing concerns about espionage activities targeting military personnel and governmental officials, particularly in the context of tensions between Sweden and Russia. The alarming nature of the crime reflects a broader trend of espionage, which has become a pressing issue as geopolitical tensions escalate, particularly surrounding NATO's presence and operations in Eastern Europe.