Swedish court frees Russian tourists detained during camping trip

A Swedish court has dismissed the police's decision to detain Russian tourists Semyon and Tatyana, who were arrested during a camping trip in the country. The court, in Stockholm, released the couple immediately, finding no evidence to support the suspicion that they had committed any crime. The court noted that the Russian citizens had cooperated with authorities and that police had failed to provide convincing facts to prove that the tourists intended to stay in Sweden for reasons other than tourism.

According to the defense, merely being Russian citizens and speaking Russian cannot justify a detention decision. The couple was detained on August 6 while vacationing near Furuvik and had been staying in a tent they had set up by the sea. They were fishing and had camped near a private home protected by Swedish authorities. Security guards at the home called the police, drawn to the couple's Russian accents and the use of walkie-talkies.

The Russians were unable to provide a clear explanation for choosing that location to camp, but later explained to human rights advocates that they enjoy hiking and decided to camp by the water. The case is not unique, as Sweden has previously recognized Russian citizens as a threat to national security based on factors like their Russian accents, walkie-talkies, and inability to convincingly explain their campsite choice.

The Antiwar Committee, representing Semyon and Tatyana, stated that the couple oppose Russia's invasion of Ukraine, engage in humanitarian work, and assist teenage emigres in adapting to life abroad. Sweden has threatened to deport the couple, causing concern about the potential negative impact on their lives, such as visa applications.