Swedish Government Office Criticized by Ombudsman Over Delayed Disclosure in Landerholm Case
The Swedish Parliamentary Ombudsman (JO) has issued formal criticism against the Government Offices for delays in providing public documents in connection with the investigation into former national security adviser Henrik Landerholm. The documents in question, requested by journalists, included direct messages from Landerholm's official phone, email logs, and email correspondence. These requests were made as part of a broader inquiry into Landerholm's handling of classified information.
According to the findings, the Government Offices did not process requests for the release of these documents with the urgency stipulated by Sweden's Freedom of the Press Act. The law requires authorities to promptly handle requests for public records, a principle considered fundamental to government transparency and public oversight.
The Ombudsman's assessment emphasized that the Government Offices bear a particular responsibility to uphold the rights of access to public documents. The decision noted that failures at this central government level could set a precedent for other authorities, potentially undermining the principle of public access to official records. The report warned that if the Government Offices do not adhere to these standards, other agencies might also fail to meet their obligations, posing a long-term risk to the tradition of governmental openness in Sweden.
The Ombudsman further highlighted the importance of maintaining preparedness for handling information requests even during periods of high media activity. The oversight body concluded that the Government Offices must improve their processes to align with constitutional requirements, ensuring that all requests for official documents are handled efficiently and without undue delay, regardless of external pressures or workload.
This criticism arises from the context of several security incidents involving Henrik Landerholm, which were previously reported in the media. Landerholm, while serving as national security adviser, was involved in cases where the handling of classified information was questioned. He was subsequently prosecuted for negligence involving confidential information. Although initially acquitted by a lower court, the case is currently pending appeal in a higher court. Due to significant court backlogs, the appeal is not expected to be resolved until at least 2027.
The Ombudsman's intervention underscores the broader issue of governmental accountability and transparency in Sweden. The case has drawn attention to the critical role of the Government Offices in setting standards for openness, particularly in matters involving national security and the proper handling of classified materials. The incident has prompted calls for improved internal procedures to ensure compliance with the legal framework governing public access to information.
The Government Offices have acknowledged the criticism and indicated that steps will be taken to review and enhance their document-handling procedures. As the legal proceedings regarding Landerholm continue, the spotlight remains on both the effectiveness of internal government controls and the robustness of Sweden's mechanisms for public oversight.