Sweden – Svenska Dagbladet, Dec. 19, 2025
Maria Malmer Stenergard:
We have invited you to a press briefing today to update you on the Foreign Service’s consular work with a focus on detained persons. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and our missions abroad around the world undertake extensive work to monitor that Swedes detained abroad have their basic rights respected, for example through prison visits and contact with relatives. At any given time, the Foreign Service is typically handling close to 300 cases involving Swedes detained outside the Nordic region. Consular work is a major and important part of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ activities. Some cases stand out, as is known, for instance because the detention has clearly been unjust or because a Swedish citizen has been sentenced to death. These cases also lead to special efforts from the government and the Foreign Service. Sometimes we achieve success and Swedish citizens can be reunited with their families in Sweden. Last year, Johan Floderus and Said Azizi were able to return to Sweden from Iran. This year, Joakim Medin was able to leave Turkey and be reunited with his wife Sofie. None of this would have been possible without extensive efforts from the government and the Foreign Service. The rights of Swedish citizens are a genuine Swedish interest. It has also been a priority in my work. This autumn, I visited China where I held talks with my Chinese counterpart. I have also met my counterpart from Iran this autumn. I am convinced that low-key and diplomatic contacts with other countries on very difficult issues are important. It can be decisive for our own interests. For us, it is not an alternative to not speak with others when Swedish interests are at stake. That does not mean we can do everything, but it means we must try. Sometimes it is frustratingly difficult to make progress despite great efforts.
I would specifically like to mention a few cases. Gui Minhai has been detained in China for ten years. In October, I visited the country as the first Swedish foreign minister in eleven years. That I was there on the anniversary of the detention was a clear signal of how important this case is for Sweden. I naturally raised Gui Minhai in my meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
In Iran, the Swedish citizen Ahmadreza Djalali, sentenced to death, remains detained. After months of uncertainty, shortly after my meeting with Iran’s foreign minister in New York in September, we received word that Ahmadreza Djalali had been moved back to Evin prison. He was also able to have contact with relatives again.
I also want to mention something about the case that has been reported on this week. A Swedish citizen is detained in Iran suspected of serious criminal activity. The case has been handled consularly since it came to the attention of the MFA. The MFA has received information that the man has been sentenced to death in the first instance. However, this is still unconfirmed information. Sweden’s and the EU’s position regarding the death penalty is very clear. We always oppose it, everywhere, and regardless of the circumstances. This is well known. On Wednesday, the MFA therefore summoned Iran’s ambassador to convey our protests against the sentence. Citing confidentiality and to not complicate our work, I cannot go into further details in this case.
Dawit Isaak has been detained in Eritrea without trial for over 24 years. This is extremely serious and I have great understanding for the enormous disappointment and frustration felt by the relatives. I returned yesterday from a visit to Eritrea, which was the first by a Swedish minister since Sweden recognized Eritrea as a state in 1993. During the visit, I met, among others, the Foreign Minister, the Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, and the Information Minister. It was a good visit that provided an opportunity for frank discussions on regional issues, global challenges, and our bilateral relations. During the visit, I clearly conveyed how important it is that Dawit Isaak is released and reunited with his family. My visit should be seen as a new approach on this issue and a range of other important issues for and between our countries. We assess that we now have better conditions for continued talks on important issues, including the issue of Dawit Isaak.
I understand there is great interest in receiving more information about our consular cases, and that we do not speak out publicly does not mean we are passive, as this trip also shows. Talking publicly about everything we do does not benefit the individuals concerned or their relatives. It is results that we need and want to achieve in these cases. Small steps, such as information being given to relatives, can mean a very great deal, even though a release is of course the goal. The government, the Foreign Service, and other Swedish authorities have collective experience from our consular cases, but also knowledge and relations with other countries. This is not only necessary in these contexts, but it also requires a dose of courage, persistence, and a light touch. There should be no doubt whatsoever that the work is being carried out very purposefully and intensively from our side.
