Norway Arrests University Researcher On Suspicion Of Spying For Russia

Norway's counterespionage service has arrested a man who worked on a research project at a Norwegian university on suspicion that he is a Russian spy.

The man was arrested in the Arctic town of Tromsoe on October 24, public broadcaster NRK reported on October 25, citing the Norwegian Police Security Service (PST).

The man arrived in Norway in 2021 posing as a Brazilian citizen, but deputy PST chief Hedvig Moe told NRK that police believe his real identity to be Russian.

The man, who was not identified, represents a "threat to fundamental national interests" of Norway, a member of NATO, and should be expelled, Moe said.

The security service "is concerned that he may have acquired information about Norway’s policy in the northern region,” and Norway doesn’t want this information to fall into the hands of the Russians, Moe told AP.

The detained man's lawyer, Thomas Hansen, told the Norwegian newspaper VG that his client denies any wrongdoing. The man has been ordered held for four weeks, VG reported.

Tromsoe is located in the far north of Norway several hundred kilometers west of the Scandinavian country's border with Russia.

The man was believed by the PST to have sought to establish himself in the country under a false identity. The research group he participated in studies hybrid warfare.

Arctic University of Norway administrator Jorgen Fossland said in a statement that the person in question was “a guest lecturer” at the school.

Norway recently accused a Russian citizen of flying drones over Norwegian territory in violation of a ban imposed in the wake of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine and detained Russians on charges of illegally photographing sensitive sites.

Based on reporting by Reuters, dpa, AP, and AFP