Top Swedish official quits over gay dating app photo leak
A former Swedish ambassador to Ukraine was forced to resign a top security position hours after taking up the role following the publication of explicit photos taken from a gay dating app.
Tobias Thyberg resigned from his post as Sweden’s national security adviser following the circulation of explicit images from the Grindr app to his political masters and the press. The scandal has sent shockwaves through the new NATO member’s political establishment, reportedly raising questions about the reliability of security vetting and possible foreign involvement.
Thyberg, who served as Sweden’s ambassador to Ukraine from 2019 to 2023, was appointed national security adviser shortly before midday on Thursday, according to a timeline published by the newspaper Dagens Nyheter.
About 30 minutes later, an anonymous email containing explicit photos, allegedly of Thyberg, was sent to Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s office. The images, reportedly taken from an old Grindr account, were later shared with media outlets, including the Dagens Nyheter.
By midnight, Thyberg had informed the outlet that he would not assume the role, confirming the leak. “I should have informed about this but I didn’t,” he told the newspaper, referring to the pictures.
The paper noted that the images were not public, but were shared on a private channel, and that many were six or seven years old. It is unclear who accessed and distributed the pictures, but the Dagens Nyheter said the sender had used a private email service with strong encryption protection.
Kristersson has ordered an investigation into the scandal but refused to speculate about the potentially compromising materials. Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer confirmed that the sensitive images had not surfaced during the security check, noting that Thyberg should have disclosed them voluntarily. Peter Hultqvist, a former Swedish Defense Minister, suggested that the scandal could disrupt the country’s cooperation with its international partners.
The outlet reported, citing sources, that there is speculation within the Swedish government that a foreign power may be behind the emergence of the images. Another source told the paper that it is “incomprehensible why this vulnerability was not discovered in the security clearance. The position is placed in the highest security class.”
The role of national security adviser in Sweden, which was only created in 2022, is not as prominent as its US counterpart, but it still has significant influence. The advisor reports directly to the prime minister and handles classified information. The position has come under increased scrutiny recently following the January resignation of Henrik Landerholm, who was indicted after allegedly leaving classified documents in a hotel room – a charge he denies.
NATO general fired over rape gaffe – Spiegel
NATO’s deputy commander for Ukraine support has been dismissed over a rape-related remark he made during a high-level meeting, Der Spiegel reported on Tuesday.
Major General Hartmut Renk told a gathering in February “If rape is inevitable, relax and enjoy.”
How about the millions of children being raped everyday around the world? Are they supposed to lie back and enjoy the painful invasion of their bodies and souls? How much intelligence does it take to be a General these days?
Following a formal complaint from a female British officer, Renk admitted to making the comment but reportedly used it sarcastically to motivate his team, according to the outlet.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and General Carsten Breuer, the head of the German armed forces, oversaw an investigation, after which, the minister removed Renk from his NATO post, canceled his planned promotion to a role in the US, and initiated disciplinary proceedings.
The two-star general now reportedly faces early retirement.
NATO publicly committed to combating conflict-related sexual violence and adopted a zero-tolerance policy in 2020. Each bloc member is responsible for investigating misconduct and taking disciplinary or legal action against its own personnel.
Despite this policy, sexual misconduct within NATO ranks, including incidents involving senior officers, has been widely reported. A 2024 NATO Review highlighted persistent sexual harassment and called for cultural change within military institutions.
Renk’s dismissal comes as new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pledged to overhaul the country’s armed forces, restore credibility, and significantly increase military spending under the campaign slogan, “Germany is back.”
Back to what, is the question.
The former senior commander began his military career in 1982 and was deployed to both Kosovo and Afghanistan. He most recently worked on providing weapons and training for Kiev through NATO’s Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) program.
Of course, providing weapons is what NATO does, as the storefront for the Western War Industry.
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