Swedish Democrats' member of Parliament, Sven-Olof Sällström, has passed away after a prolonged battle with cancer, announced by the party leader, Jimmie Åkesson, on Facebook.

Having fought the disease for over two years, Sällström stepped down from his role as the deputy chair of the defense committee last November due to his illness.

Åkesson mourned the loss, stating it as a 'black day' not only for himself, Sällström's family, and friends but also for the party and the nation.

Sven-Olof Sällström was 55 years old.