US embassy guard in Norway charged over spying for Russia and Iran
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The 27-year-old man was allegedly paid in euros and bitcoin for providing information on embassy activities.
- A Norwegian security agent at the US embassy in Oslo is charged over spying for Russia and Iran between March and November 2024.
- He allegedly provided contact details of diplomats, licence plate numbers, embassy plans, security routines and courier lists in exchange for over €17,000.
- The accused acknowledges the acts but denies the charges; if convicted, he faces up to 21 years in prison for espionage.
AI generated
OSLO – A Norwegian who worked as a security agent at the US embassy in Oslo has been charged over spying for Russia and Iran, according to a legal document received by AFP on July 23.
The 27-year-old man is accused of having supplied information on embassy activities between March 2024 and Nov 20, the date of his arrest, according to the charge sheet.
In return, he was paid in euros and bitcoin.
He is accused of having supplied either the Russians or the Iranians – or both – with the contact details of diplomats, embassy staff and their families.
He is also accused of having supplied the diplomatic licence-plate numbers of vehicles used by the embassy.
The charge sheet also alleges he handed over the plans of the embassy, security routines and a list of couriers Norway’s intelligence service used.
These were serious acts “notably because the aim was to reveal information to a foreign state”, said the Norwegian prosecution service in the indictment, dated July 22.
The man has acknowledged what he did but rejected the charges laid against him, said his lawyer, Ms Inger Zadig, broadcaster TV2 reported.
He is also accused of having tried to hide some of the money he received, which came to more than €17,000 (S$25,000), by putting it into the bank accounts of other people in his circle.
If convicted of the charges laid against him, he could spend up to 21 years in jail, the prosecution service told AFP.
Norway’s intelligence service has regularly accused Russia, Iran and China as being the greatest threats to the country so far as spying is concerned.
Nato member Norway shares a land border with Russia in the Arctic. AFP
