A Norwegian student in his 20s has been arrested on allegations of espionage for Russia and Iran while working as a security guard at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo.
The man, whose identity has not been disclosed, was detained at his home on Wednesday. He has been ordered to remain in custody for four weeks, according to Norway's domestic intelligence agency, PST.
PST spokesman Thomas Blom said during a Thursday news conference that it is too early to talk about the details of the man's activity. Court records cited by Norwegian public broadcaster NRK indicate that the man admitted to collecting and sharing information with Russian and Iranian authorities.
However, his attorney, John Christian Elden, said his client admitted that he worked on behalf of a foreign country but denies the charge of espionage.
"He is charged with having obtained information that could harm the security situation of third countries," Elden told NRK.
What We Know So Far
The suspect reportedly co-owns a security company with a dual citizen of Norway and an unspecified Eastern European country. Police said they will review the company's operating license.
Officials revealed that the man is pursuing a bachelor's degree in security and preparedness at Norway's Arctic University, the University of Tromsø. The university has been linked to another espionage case in recent years.
In 2022, a University of Tromsø guest researcher––initially claiming to be a Brazilian citizen named José Assis Giammaria––was arrested on spying charges. He was later identified as Mikhail Valeryevich Mikushin, a Russian national.
Norway's Shared Border with Russia
Norway has become increasingly wary of potential espionage threats since Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
The country shares a 123-mile border with Russia in the Arctic and has introduced stricter entry regulations for Russian nationals. In September, Norwegian authorities announced they were considering constructing a fence along the border to enhance security.
The proposal includes integrating advanced surveillance technologies, such as sensors, to ensure more effective border control. A 2017 poll indicated that 58 percent of Norwegians viewed Russia as a security threat.
"We do not comment on allegations related to intelligence or personnel matters, but as always appreciate our close coordination and cooperation with the Norwegian police on a range of critical issues," the U.S. Embassy in Oslo told Newsweek.
Recent Death of Alleged Russian 'Spy Whale'
In September, Hvaldimir, a beluga whale suspected of being used to spy for Russian was found dead off Norway's southwestern coast.
Animal rights groups, including OneWhale and NOAH, alleged that Hvaldimir died from gunshot wounds and called for a police investigation.
"We want justice for Hvaldimir, for his killing and whoever killed him," OneWhale founder Regina Haug said.
A necropsy revealed no evidence of gunshot injuries, suggesting the whale's death was from natural causes.
When first spotted near Norway in 2019, Hvaldimir was wearing a harness that could hold a camera or other equipment. Onlookers alleged that the harness had markings suggesting it was Russian-made, fueling speculation about spying.
The whale was also remarkably comfortable around humans, suggesting it had been trained in captivity. That level of human interaction raised suspicions that it might have been part of a military program, especially as it was discovered near Norway's coast, a location with strategic military importance.
Russia has a history of training marine mammals, including belugas, dolphins and seals, for military purposes, such as detecting underwater mines, guarding naval bases or carrying equipment.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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