A Swedish officer working for NATO had his computer and iPad stolen during a NATO-associated conference in Lisbon last year, as reported by Dagens Nyheter. The individual charged is a 23-year-old Portuguese man who is accused of stealing the officer's belongings after checking into the same hotel where several conference participants were staying. Following the theft, he allegedly attempted to sell the stolen information at the Russian embassy in Lisbon, although this effort appears to have been unsuccessful.

The incident occurred in February when the conference attracted participants from NATO and its partner countries. While the officer's devices were compromised, it has been confirmed that they did not contain classified information. This detail has soothed some concerns about potential security risks associated with the theft. Jonas Beltrame-Linné, the press officer for the Swedish Armed Forces, remarked on the seriousness of the incident, emphasizing that while no critical information was lost, the act itself raised concerns.

This case of attempted espionage sheds light on the risks associated with international conferences involving sensitive military affiliations, especially at a time when tensions between NATO and Russia are heightened. The legal proceedings against the accused will likely draw international attention as they unfold, particularly in relation to concerns about security for personnel attending such gatherings in the future.