Sweden on Monday charged a man arrested in a dramatic helicopter raid with spying for Russian military intelligence for almost a decade.
Prosecutors say Sergey Skvortsov, 60, secretly acquired western technology and passed it to Russia's GRU spy agency.
He denies any wrongdoing.
Mr Skvortsov and his wife were held in a pre-dawn swoop involving Black Hawk helicopters at their suburban home last year. The woman was released and is no longer a suspect.
The charges against Mr Skvortsov allege he spied on Sweden from 2014 until his arrest.
He is accused of obtaining "various items that the Russian state and the defence forces could not acquire on the open market due to export rules and sanctions".
It is claimed he located items requested by Russia before "negotiating and carrying out the purchase and further organising the transport of the goods while concealing the actual end user".
A Swedish-Russian dual citizen, he is said to have worked for various export businesses in Sweden after moving there in the 1990s.
"Skvortsov and his company have been a platform for the Russian military intelligence service GRU and part of the Russian state for illicit technology procurement from the West," the indictment says.
Prosecutors say his activities included "dealings with various American companies" and could have damaged US security. An FBI special agent is listed among the witnesses.
A lawyer for Mr Skvortskov, Ulrika Borg, told Reuters: "He reiterates that he denies all charges."
The charge of "unlawful intelligence activities" is a step lower than espionage. A trial due is to start on September 4.
Mr Skvortsov, who has been in detention since his arrest, faces up to four years in prison if found guilty.
Western countries have reported an increase in foreign intelligence activity during the Russia-Ukraine war. Sweden is applying to join Nato as a result of the conflict.
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Gifts exchanged
- King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
- Queen Camilla - Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
- Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
- Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
Cinco in numbers
Dh3.7 million
The estimated cost of Victoria Swarovski’s gem-encrusted Michael Cinco wedding gown
46
The number, in kilograms, that Swarovski’s wedding gown weighed.
1,000
The hours it took to create Cinco’s vermillion petal gown, as seen in his atelier [note, is the one he’s playing with in the corner of a room]
50
How many looks Cinco has created in a new collection to celebrate Ballet Philippines’ 50th birthday
3,000
The hours needed to create the butterfly gown worn by Aishwarya Rai to the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.
1.1 million
The number of followers that Michael Cinco’s Instagram account has garnered.
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
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