Crisis support around the clock at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: « Sorrow, shock, worry »

When Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) left the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shortly after 4pm on Friday, she was noticeably taken. Earlier in the day came the message that one Spy suspected UD diplomat found dead.

– Many feel sadness, shock, worry. I have full understanding of that. I have the privilege of leading a fantastic organization with employees who work in a more complex time and environment than ever and who are hard pressed in their work. Of course, being affected by this very difficult message is very heavy, she says.

At 15 o’clock, the Foreign Minister gathered the employees at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Stockholm. A silent minute was held.

– The atmosphere is dressed in grief today. It is a large tragedy that has occurred and we are all deeply affected and affected, says August Borg, chairman of the Foreign Administration’s staff association.

The man found dead was arrested on Sunday, suspected of the lower degree of suspicion for espionage. His lawyer Anton Strand has described the arrest Like a « horror experience« For his client. His gate and door were broken.

– It was my worst concern that was fulfilled. It’s not a fun atmosphere at the Foreign Ministry today, says August Borg.

Trade union representatives at the Government Offices have been sitting in Crisis meeting during Fridayn. The union has arranged a room where those who need support have been able to come.

It has been talked about in the corridors and colleagues have supported each other, says a person who works at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

– There are many emotions today. When things happen that shake, it obviously affects the mood. It has helped people have supported each other.

According to Maria Malmer Stenergard, the Foreign Ministry offers extensive crisis support for the staff with different types of support around the clock. She also says that there were routines for support for the deceased diplomat.

The employees at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are habit on dealing with difficult circumstances, but the event has shaken.

– There are robust people who work here, but when it is in a personal way we are as many people as everyone else, says August Borg.

A source with transparency at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs describes that employees feel bad and carry many unanswered questions.

– Now everyone hopes that the investigation will continue and that it becomes clear whether or not there was justification for the suspicions. Otherwise, the feeling is that it is dark, says the source.

On Friday afternoon, states The prosecutor to the spy investigation continues.

Last week Has been turbulent at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It started with top diplomat Tobias Thyberg being appointed national security adviser. But only hours later He resignedafter pictures were sent to the Government Offices, DN and other media from an anonymous sender with screenshots from the Grindr dating site, including a « dickpic ».

Subsequently, two employees at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been arrested on suspicion of crime. Except for the now deceased diplomat is another high -ranking Officer suspect in another case for gross unauthorized position with secret task. He was also released, but the suspicions remain.

Maria Malmer Stenergard says that the focus now is to provide the employees at the Foreign Ministry support so they can continue to work.

It has been a dramatic week for the Foreign Ministry. What do you want to say to the citizens who wonder what is going on?

– Today is a day of sadness. We have a fantastic foreign management that works literally around the clock, for Sweden, in the world in a very complex environment and time.

Given the crime suspicions that exist, how do you view the security of the Government Offices?

– I can only confirm that there are two cases of preliminary investigations with suspects working at the Government Offices. Questions concerning them may be addressed to prosecutors and security police. It is a very complex environment and a security policy difficult world to work in. It also places special demands on our security work and therefore it is an ongoing work to improve and evaluate our security work and this is something that we also do.

The same afternoon, Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer in the Riksdag’s speaker’s chair stands for interpellation debates. Afterwards he says that his thoughts are with the deceased man’s family, friends and colleagues, and that the government’s employees are obviously taken by the message.

Is there reason to improve security routines at the Government Offices?

– Obviously there is reason to get to the bottom of seeing what has happened. Is there anything in the procedure where you can see deficiencies? Is there anything in such cases would need to fix. It is too early for me to draw any such conclusions and it is also something that in such cases is now being tested on the Government Offices as a whole, says Strömmer.

Read more:

Top Diplomat Death – was investigated for espionage

Prosecutor: Spy investigation continues – despite the death