A security guard working for the US Embassy in Oslo has been arrested in Norway on suspicion of spying for Russia and Iran. The man, in his 20s, was taken into custody at his home on Wednesday and is facing charges of attempted aggravated intelligence activities against state secrets. He has reportedly confessed to collecting and sharing information with Russian and Iranian authorities.
This arrest highlights the ongoing concerns about espionage and influence operations conducted by Moscow and Tehran globally. Western officials have previously thwarted plots linked to Tehran, including an alleged assassination attempt against President-elect Donald Trump. Additionally, a recent report by the Wall Street Journal revealed a covert Russian operation involving incendiary devices aimed at causing fires on flights heading to the US and Canada.
The accused individual's lawyer stated that his client denies being a spy but has agreed to a two-week imprisonment. The lawyer emphasized that the information obtained by his client may have implications for the security of other countries. Norway's intelligence and security service PST confirmed the arrest, noting that the individual was employed as a security guard at the American embassy in Oslo.
A spokesperson for PST declined to provide further details, citing the early stage of the investigation. The US State Department, in response to the incident, expressed appreciation for the cooperation with Norwegian authorities but refrained from commenting on intelligence-related matters. They directed inquiries to the Norwegian authorities for additional information.
