Sweden's Stasi Agents

Sweden investigated 50 people during the 1990s for possible links to the East German secret police, although fewer than a dozen have been identified as agents who worked for the Stasi, according to an investigation by the Swedish security police, or SAPO.

Now Swedish authorities have come under new pressure to release the names of Swedish citizens suspected of working for the GDR's secret service agency.

Swedish media recently became interested after a book claimed that SAPO kept a list of suspected Stasi informers and journalists have requested the list be released.

However, the agency has insisted that the information is classified.

"We've investigated these cases thoroughly," SAPO spokesman Anders Thornberg said.

Prosecution unlikely

Fewer than 10 of the people have been identified as Stasi agents, Thornberg said.

The Swedish media has reported that the Stasi had agents reporting on the Swedish prime minister as well as on the workings of Sweden's West German embassy.

None of the alleged secret service agents were tried for espionage because too much time had passed since the crimes were committed, Thornberg said.