SYFA spying scandal
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The SYFA spying scandal is an ongoing political scandal in Alsland that involved the Alslandic State Intelligence and Security Agency, commonly known by it's acronym 'SYFA', spying on trade unions, journalists, politicians and the Alslandic government between 2021 and 2022. The scandal became public knowledge on 20 July when Secretary of Labour Affairs Urjo Eenpalu leaked information claiming SYFA bugged the offices of the Department of Labour Affairs during meetings with the Alslandic Trade Union Federation (AFBF) in 2021. Shortly afterwards the Federal police service of Alsland launched the largest operation in their history and searched 118 locations which had been suspected to have been bugged by SYFA and found over 400 listening devices in 13 locations including government offices, offices of political parties, the headquarters of the AFBF and the main office of the Swathish Language Broadcasting Foundation (SLBS).
2 days after the scandal became public knowledge the Möller Cabinet resigned and accepted responsibility for ordering the initial operation against the AFBF. The scandal resulted in non-essential operations of the State Intelligence and Security Agency being suspended, the dismissal of SYFA director Alricc Clerc, the resignation of Secretary of Labour Affairs Urjo Eenpalu for leaking information to the press and the resignation of Secretary of Security Sascha Strittmatter.
Background
2021 National Security law
On 6 January 2021 a bomb exploded onboard a commuter passenger train in Yndyk which killed 26 people and injured 140 more. It was the worst terrorist attack in Alslandic history and led to the passage of the 2021 National Security law by the Folkssenaat on 22 April that year. The National Security law as controversial in Alsland and opposed by many within the opposition and the government as it greatly expanded the role of the State Intelligence and Security Agency whilst also removing independent oversight over the agency's actions. It also allowed the agency to collect any data from anything related to it's target that may be necessary to it's operations and investigation. The law also allowed the cabinet to approve any SYFA operation on short notice without approval from the Justice committee which previously had some input into the agency's operations.
The law also created the Department of Security and the Department of Anti-Terrorism to oversee SYFA's activities and monitor security issues in the country, both of which are sub-departments of the Department of Justice, former professional fencer Sascha Strittmatter was appointed to lead the Department of Security despite having no experience in the Security sector prior to being appointed. The appointment of Strittmatter was controversial due to her remarks on security and immigration, she faced controversy when she blamed the Yndyk bombing on immigrants shortly after the attacker was confirmed to be a right-wing extremist from Alsland. She later amended her statement to say that uncontrolled immigration had radicalised many Alslanders. Her appointment was also criticised as she had been a major donor towards the Progressive Alliance prior to her appointment. In April, Alslandyske Nijs en Radiotsjinst (ANS) revealed the government have been lobbied by surveillance companies to pass and even strengthen the law although attempts to strengthen the law were unsuccessful due to opposition from the Green - Alternative Choice and some Progressive Alliance Senators.