Norwegian security guard of the US embassy Oslo arrested for espionage

Norwegian security guard of the US embassy Oslo arrested for espionage

A Norwegian man who works as a security officer for the US message in Oslo was arrested this week for allegations of espionage for Russia and Iran.

Details for arrest

As reported by the Norwegian Rundfunk NRK, it is a man in her early 20s, who was arrested in his garage at home on Wednesday. He is accused of accused, intensified intelligence agencies against state secrets. He admitted that information collected and shared with Russian and Iranian authorities.

global concern about spy

The arrest is carried out against the background of persistent concerns about the espionage and influence operations by Moscow and Tehran worldwide. In the past, Western officials have disturbed conspiracies from Tehran who aimed to damage or kill people, including a Alleged Attentatsplans against the elected President Donald Trump.

Russian operations in Europe

In November the Wall Street journal Fire devices that were ignited in Germany and in the United Kingdom are part of a hidden Russian operation that aimed at sparking fire in freight and passenger aircraft on the way to the USA and Canada.

statements by the lawyer

The accused man's lawyer, John Christian Elden, explained that his client had received information that could be disadvantageous for the third party security situation. He questioned whether the information was actually of such a kind. Elden added that his client had not admitted to being a spy. In addition, he explained that his client does not advocate guilty, but agreed two weeks in prison, as NRK reported.

confirmation by the Norwegian secret service

Norway's secret service and security service PST confirmed to CNN on Friday that the person had been arrested against other countries for secret service against state secrets and illegal intelligence activities. A spokesman for the PST also emphasized that "the person was employed as a security officer at the American embassy in Oslo". Further information was not given due to the early phase of the investigation.

reaction of the US State Department

A spokesman for the US State Department told CNN that “no comments on accusations regarding secret services or personnel matters can be made, but as always, close coordination and collaboration with the Norwegian police estimate on a number of critical topics”. He added that one wanted to refer to the Norwegian authorities for further information.