Man arrested for industrial espionage against Saab

Prosecutor Tomas Lindstrand also has sought an order from the Goteborg District Court to hold the suspect pending investigation and possible indictment.

According to documents filed by Lindstrand with the court, the man is accused of industrial espionage, unauthorized trade with secret information, and attempted extortion over a period of more than eight months.

Lindstrand was not immediately available for comment, but told Swedish news agency TT that the man is a Swedish citizen, believed to have a background in engineering. He is not employed by Saab, he said.

The nature of the espionage also is thought to be so serious that it could have endangered Sweden's national security, Lindstrand said. He does not rule out the possible involvement of accomplices.

Lindstrand said the suspect also is suspected trying to extort considerable amounts of money from Saab staff for the return of documents and information. The man's name was withheld, in keeping with Swedish rules.

A statement from Saab said the suspect was arrested in Goteborg on Thursday for illegally having "gained access to documents regarding the operations" of its radar systems unit, Saab Microwave Systems.