Criticism of the Government Offices of Sweden for slow processing of seven requests for the disclosure of official documents

Summary of the decision: In his decision, the Parliamentary Ombudsman gives an opinion on whether the Government Offices of Sweden has processed seven requests for the disclosure of official documents with sufficient urgency. The requests were submitted by reporters at Dagens Nyheter in connection with their investigation of the then national security advisor and those close to him.

The Parliamentary ombudsman criticises the Government Offices of Sweden for failing to process the requests in question as promptly as the Freedom of the Press Act (SFS 1949:105) requires. In his decision, the Parliamentary Ombudsman emphasises the importance of the Government Offices of Sweden in particular respecting the right of access that the Freedom of the Press Act is intended to guarantee.

In the opinion of the Parliamentary Ombudsman, the Government Offices of Sweden has failed to present an adequately detailed assessment of the individual requests, and this has impeded the review. The Parliamentary Ombudsman is critical of this shortcoming.