Swedish Citizen Detained by Russia’s FSB Crossed the Belarusian-Russian Border on Foot

Reform.news Editorial Team · 16 October 2026, 12:46

https://reform.news/en/swedish-citizen-detained-by-russia-s-fsb-crossed-the-belarusian-russian-border-on-foot/

Swedish citizen Freddy Mikael Stålkrantz Lindholm, detained by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) on suspicion of preparing sabotage at military facilities, crossed into Russia on foot from Belarus. This is indicated by documents from the Pskov City Court, which were published online.

The detention of the 35-year-old Swede, who previously served in the Ukrainian army, became known on 15 October. Russian security services claimed that he had illegally entered Russia “from the territory of a neighbouring state” to carry out sabotage.

According to court documents, the man crossed the border outside official checkpoints and was subsequently detained by a Russian border patrol. On 13 October, the Pskov City Court ordered him held in custody. He will remain in detention until 6 December 2026.

“According to the inquiry authorities, the suspect, without proper authorisation and acting intentionally for personal reasons, crossed the state border of the Russian Federation from the Republic of Belarus on foot, bypassing designated checkpoints, after which he was detained by a border patrol,” the press release states.

He reportedly did not object to being remanded in custody.

“The law permits a custodial measure for a suspect accused of a minor offence only in exceptional circumstances. The court considered the absence of a permanent place of residence, stay or registration in Russia to be such circumstances,” the court said.