Sweden delays trial of ex-security advisor until after election

Sweden's appeals court will delay the trial of former national security advisor Henrik Landerholm. The hearing likely will not occur until after next year's parliamentary election.

Court officials say they handle all cases with similar timelines. Processing times typically take about 1.5 years. This means the main hearing should happen in late 2026 or early 2027.

Marcus Karlberg, an appeals court judge, confirmed the timeline in a statement. He explained the court's standard procedures apply to this case.

Landerholm faced accusations of careless handling of classified information. A lower court previously acquitted him of negligence with secret documents.

The district court ruled he was not grossly negligent. This occurred when he left secret documents in an unlocked safe at a training facility outside Stockholm.

Prosecutors strongly disagreed with the acquittal. They appealed the decision immediately.

In their appeal filing, prosecutors wrote they consider Landerholm's actions grossly negligent. They believe he should be convicted for serious negligence with classified information.

The timing raises questions about political sensitivity. Pushing the trial past election day avoids potential impact on voting.

National security cases typically draw public attention in Sweden. This case involves a former top security official handling classified documents.

Sweden's parliamentary elections occur every four years. The next vote will happen in September 2026.