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Major General Klas Eksell, Director of Personnel of the Armed Forces, confirms that the commander examined by DN provided false information when he was employed and worked at the headquarters of the Armed Forces. After questions were raised internally about the man’s background in September 2019, an investigation was carried out that led to his resignation in March.
– I see it serious, people who lie and lie about their CV, it’s a shame. It is miserable. It is difficult for the Armed Forces to protect themselves from people who lie. We should have checked that information better, says Klas Eksell.
Klas Eksell emphasizes that this is one case among thousands of labor and personnel issues. It does not mean exactly which of the man’s statements are false.
– I trust that we have enough information to affirm that it is not enough to be employed in the Armed Forces.
What risk has it represented for the Armed Forces?
– When you lie, you always put yourself at risk. We have that risk to relate to and manage. You become vulnerable when you lie.
Can you be blackmailed?
– Of course, and that’s why we don’t want people who lie in different ways. And while it is not a crime to lie on a resume, it is unfortunate and stressful.
According to Klas Eksell, there is no indication that the man was subjected to pressure or caused any damage to the Armed Forces.
– We have no indication of loss of information or that we have suffered damages based on what happened in this case.
The Swedish Armed Forces investigation does not show that the former commander was subjected to pressure or caused any damage to the defense.
Photo: Anette Nantell
On his resume, the man has Among other things, he claimed that he was shot down in Iraq during the Gulf War and on Facebook he told about secret military operations in the service of the British navy.
Klas Eksell says the information should have been verified before the man received classified security services, and that he does not know why it did not happen. One reason may be that the alleged military experience was not relevant to the man’s civilian mission.
– It is absolutely spectacular. But the work you have done with us is civilian work in the task force, not as an officer. So that information, of course, will be exciting but not decisive for your work, says Klas Eksell.
But even if they were not formally necessary, does it not matter if a person also has a long experience working in the military for another defense force?
-I could have had it, but in this case I don’t perceive that it had. That is not why he got the job.
The Swedish Armed Forces investigation The man’s was ready in March. The investigation coincides in time with DN’s investigation into the fake officer. Despite this, the Armed Forces never reported that another similar case had been discovered.
– I do not perceive that we have any reason to do so, says Klas Eksell.
One reason for doing so may be that it was described as an individual case. And here you have another case.
– AHA. I understand what you’re saying. I do not know.
Press Secretary Jonas Olsson adds:
– Here it has to do with certain things that revolve in the security process and there we should not always have an idea of what is happening. This does not mean that you have deliberately and actively excluded it.
Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist and government offices were briefed on the case this summer.
Photo: Anette Nantell
DN started checking the new case at the end of May when requesting documents about the man from the Armed Forces. On August 7, a hearing on the matter was held at the Government Offices. Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist’s press secretary Toni Eriksson confirms that the minister has been informed, but does not want to answer any questions about what information has reached the Government Offices.
“When it comes to details about communication (what, who, when, how) within the Defense Ministry, it is not something I want to go into,” writes the Defense Minister’s press secretary.
“The matter is an employer issue for the Swedish Armed Forces, so the Defense Minister refrains from commenting.”
In August, the government tasked the Armed Forces with reporting on how to work to screen people who are recruited for security-sensitive activities. The Armed Forces are also preparing an assignment for the internal audit of the authority to initiate an audit where the merits of other people can be examined.
– The internal audit receives a task that, among other things, involves the realization of random controls in this area. We are considering several other types of similar measures, but we are not ready, says Klas Eksell.
Read more: The head of the headquarters of the Armed Forces had a fictitious background
