'Swedish authorities concerned over army woman's arrest' | India Gazette

'Swedish authorities concerned over army woman's arrest'

India Gazette (IANS) Wednesday 4th January, 2012

Swedish authorities as well as people of that country have voiced concern over the arrest of a Swedish army woman in Goa for possessing a live cartridge while she was boarding a flight for Mumbai Monday.

Inger Kristina Hardinz, an arms instructor in the Swedish army, was boarding Indigo flight GE-196 Monday when a live 5.56 mm cartridge was found in her hand baggage during security check at the Dabolim airport here.

Hardinz told the authorities she had 'no idea' how the cartridge had slipped into her luggage. She had arrived in India Dec 23, 2011.

Sweden's leading English newspaper The Local has quoted several Swedish authorities, including army spokespersons who have expressed their concern over the arrest of Hardinz. The newspaper's website also published several comments from Swedish citizens who have expressed outrage at the arrest.

'As her employers, we have sent down documentation proving that she is trained and licensed to handle ammunition. However, she is in India for private reasons and is not on a mission requiring her to carry bullets,' the newspaper has said, quoting Pia Sandstedt of the Swedish Army Logistics Unit.

The Local also reported that the Swedish army was treating the matter 'very seriously' and that 'an official request that the Swedish woman be released' had already been lodged with the authorities in India.

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