Norwegian authorities indicted a former security guard at the United States Embassy in Oslo on charges of espionage for Russia and Iran. The man, whose name has not been released, allegedly passed sensitive information to foreign handlers, according to Norway’s state broadcaster NRK.
Prosecutors claim he shared floor plans, security procedures and photos, along with details about embassy staff, visitors and their families. The man allegedly received payments in Bitcoin and euros.
The man, a Norwegian student in his 20s, was arrested in November 2024 after authorities alleged he passed information to Russian and Iranian handlers while working as a guard at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo. Norway’s domestic intelligence agency (PST) said he was taken into custody in his garage at home and held on suspicion of damaging national security.
What do prosecutors say about the national security risks?
The indictment stated the man’s actions posed a risk to U.S. diplomatic staff and American interests abroad. Prosecutors said the information he provided increased the vulnerability of the embassy and jeopardized the safety of individuals named.
The suspect, who did not hold a security clearance, worked at the embassy while pursuing a degree in security and preparedness at the Arctic University of Norway (UiT).
What is the defense saying?
Attorneys for the accused said he accepts the facts presented in the indictment but denies committing a crime. Defense lawyers Inger Zadig and John Christian Elden argued that the case hinges on how Norwegian law defines “classified” information and whether the material could truly harm national interests. They emphasized that the suspect had limited access to sensitive data.
“At its core, this case concerns legal interpretation — specifically, whether, and to what extent, the information in question was ‘classified’ under the law, and whether it was capable of harming fundamental national interests,” Zadig wrote in an email to The Associated Press. “Our client did not hold a security clearance, and his access to information that could threaten vital national interests was more or less non-existent.”
What prompted the alleged spying?
NRK reported the man cited U.S. policy in the Middle East, including ties to Israel and the war in Gaza, as motivations for contacting Russian and Iranian agents. Both countries have aligned against the U.S. on multiple fronts, including the Ukraine war and nuclear negotiations with Iran.
Has Norway seen similar espionage cases?
This is the second espionage case in recent years tied to UiT. In 2022, authorities arrested a guest researcher who posed as a Brazilian academic but was later identified as Russian operative Mikhail Mikushin. He was part of a prisoner exchange between Russia and Western nations.
What has been the international response?
The Russian embassy in Oslo declined to comment beyond citing Article 22 of the Vienna Convention, which mandates secure protection for diplomatic missions, according to Newsweek.
If convicted, the suspect faces up to 21 years in prison under Norwegian law.
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Author: Cassandra Buchman
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