Sweden Democrats official faces scrutiny over pro-Russian allegations

Sweden Democrats pro-Russian propaganda security inquiry Gustav Gellerbrant Swedish politics

An investigation by Expo has sparked a political controversy in Sweden involving the Sweden Democrats (SD). The report alleges that Polina Malaberg, a parliamentary official and partner of SD coordination chief Gustav Gellerbrant, has shared pro-Russian narratives and propaganda on social media between 2015 and 2017.

Social Democrats' defense spokesperson Peter Hultqvist has called the situation a “security crisis,” demanding a security inquiry and requesting that Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson appear before the defense committee. Hultqvist also called for Gellerbrant and Malaberg to be suspended from their respective roles in the Riksdag and the Government Offices.

Gustav Gellerbrant has responded by calling the claims “baseless” and “disconnected,” suggesting the investigation attempts to cast suspicion on Malaberg due to her Russian origin. He noted that some posts were intended as sarcasm or irony. Gellerbrant has announced he is taking immediate parental leave and will deposit his access card and computer.

Sweden Democrat leader Jimmie Åkesson stated the party had no prior knowledge of the matter and noted that no authorities, such as Säpo, had flagged Malaberg as a problem. However, Åkesson emphasized that individuals with pro-Russian views cannot work for the party.

Entities

Christian Democrats · EXPO · Ebba Busch · Gustav Gellerbrant · Jimmie Åkesson · Liberalerna · Magdalena Andersson · Peter Hultqvist · Polina Malaberg · Socialdemokraterna · Sverigedemokraterna · Sweden

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 6 SOURCES] Magdalena Andersson described the revelations as a serious security crisis. www.di.se · www.hd.se · www.sydsvenskan.se · fr.news.yahoo.com · via.tt.se
[● 7 SOURCES] Peter Hultqvist called for Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to be summoned to an extraordinary meeting of the Defense Committee. www.di.se · www.hd.se · www.sydsvenskan.se · fr.news.yahoo.com · via.tt.se
[● 8 SOURCES] An official from the Sweden Democrats (SD) has spread pro-Russian messages on social media for several years. www.di.se · www.hd.se · www.sydsvenskan.se · fr.news.yahoo.com · via.tt.se · +1 more
[● 4 SOURCES] Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated he would not attend the requested extraordinary meeting. www.di.se · www.hd.se · www.sydsvenskan.se
[● 7 SOURCES] Jimmie Åkesson stated that individuals with pro-Russian views cannot work for the Sweden Democrats. www.di.se · www.hd.se · www.sydsvenskan.se · fr.news.yahoo.com · www.rfi.fr · +1 more
[● 5 SOURCES] Jimmie Åkesson noted that no authorities, including Säpo, have flagged the official as a problem. www.di.se · www.hd.se · www.sydsvenskan.se · fr.news.yahoo.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Gustav Gellerbrant has deposited his access card and is taking parental leave. www.svt.se · www.svd.se
[● 2 SOURCES] Gustav Gellerbrant dismissed the allegations as baseless claims intended to cast suspicion on his partner. www.svt.se · www.svd.se
[● 2 SOURCES] Polina Malaberg described the February 24, 2022, invasion of Ukraine as the worst day of her life. www.svd.se · petterssonsblogg.se
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Moderate leader in the defense committee rejected calls for an inquiry, calling them clownery from a party in panic. www.thelocal.se
[● 2 SOURCES] The Sweden Democrat leader stated the party had no prior knowledge of the situation. www.thelocal.se · www.hd.se
[○ 1 SOURCE] Polina Malaberg, a Sweden Democrat official and partner of Gustav Gellerbrant, shared pro-Russian narratives on social media between 2015 and 2017. www.thelocal.se