Norwegian Student Accused of Spying for Russia and Iran While Working at US Embassy
Norwegian authorities have arrested a student in his 20s on suspicion of espionage for Russia and Iran while he was employed as a security guard at the US Embassy in Oslo. The man, whose identity has not been disclosed, is accused of collecting and sharing sensitive information, potentially endangering national security.
The suspect was detained at his home garage on Wednesday by Norway's domestic intelligence agency, PST. He has reportedly admitted to sharing information with Russian and Iranian authorities but denies engaging in espionage. His lawyer, John Christian Elden, confirmed that the man acknowledges working for a foreign entity but refutes the charge of espionage.
The Oslo District Court has ordered the accused to remain in custody for four weeks. Investigations revealed that he co-owns a security company with a business partner holding dual citizenship from Norway and another Eastern European country. Norwegian broadcaster NRK reported that the police found records of communication between the suspect and an individual allegedly directing his activities.
The suspect was also pursuing a bachelor’s degree in security and preparedness at Arctic University, UiT. This is reportedly the second espionage-related incident involving the university in recent years. In a related case, a UiT guest researcher, initially identified as a Brazilian named José Assis Giammaria, was revealed to be Russian intelligence officer Mikhail Valeryevich Mikushin after being charged with espionage in 2022.
PST spokesperson Thomas Blom refrained from providing further details about the suspect's alleged activities but emphasized the seriousness of the situation. Meanwhile, Oslo police are reviewing the operating license of the suspect's security company.
Norway, which shares a 198-kilometer border with Russia, has tightened restrictions on Russian nationals since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The government is also considering constructing a border fence to enhance security.
This arrest has heightened concerns over espionage risks in the region, particularly given the geopolitical tensions involving Russia and its allies.
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