Swedish Prosecution Authority opens probe into “teddy bear airdrop”

The Swedish Prosecution Authority has launched an investigation into crossing the Lithuanian-Belarusian border by a Swedish plane.

In early July 2012, teddy bears with free-speech leaflets were dropped over Minsk from an aircraft that had illegally crossed the Lithuanian-Belarusian border. Belarus appealed to Lithuania and Sweden asking for legal assistance in investigating a criminal case over illegal border crossing, RIA Novosti reports.

Lithuania completed the prejudicial investigation in early January. The Lithuanian prosecution agency listed the Swedish pilots as suspects. Lithuania appealed to Sweden's relevant authorities to take over the investigation.  

“In accordance with international agreements between Sweden and Lithuania, there is a legal base for the Swedish side to handle the investigation due to the fact that Swedish citizens are involved in the case,” the Swedish Prosecution Authority said in a statement.

Two members of Studio Total advertising firm said they were responsible for the airdrop. They refused to appear before the Belarusian KGB for questioning. Belarus launched a criminal investigation over the incident.

Alyaksandr Lukashenka dismissed head of the State Border Committee Ihar Rachkouski and Air Force and Air Defence Commander Dzmitry Pakhmelkin in connection the incident. Some top army officials received reprimands. A border guard, who didn't report on the border crossing by the place, was given two years in a medium security prison.

Two Belarusians – photographer Anton Surapin and real estate agent Syarhei Basharymau – were detained, but later released on their own recognizance.