Sweden keeps former Ukrainian lawmaker wanted for treason in custody after Stevie Wonder concert trip
A Swedish court has upheld the detention of former Ukrainian lawmaker Dmytro Sviatash, who is wanted by Ukraine on treason charges and has said he wants to go to Russia rather than face extradition.
The Attunda District Court ruled on November 5 that Sviatash should remain in custody under Sweden's extradition procedures, according to court documents obtained by Schemes, the investigative project of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Ukrainian Service.
Sviatash, a former member of Ukraine's parliament, was detained at passport control on October 22 after traveling to Stockholm to attend a Stevie Wonder concert.
His lawyer, Henrik Olsson Lilja, challenged the detention, disputed the allegations against his client and argued that he posed no flight risk. The defense also said Sviatash opposed extradition to Ukraine and wanted to travel to Russia.
The court rejected the challenge and ordered him held at the Sollentuna detention facility. Sviatash may request a new hearing to review his detention within three weeks.
Ukraine has submitted documents seeking his extradition.
Sviatash, who holds both Ukrainian and Russian citizenship, was sentenced in absentia in Ukraine in 2024 to 12 years in prison on charges including fraud and offenses related to calls to change Ukraine's borders.
He also faces a separate treason investigation. Ukrainian authorities accuse him of supporting cooperation with Russian occupation administrations following the full-scale invasion.
Sviatash denies the allegations against him.
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