Norwegian student arrested on espionage charges for Russia and Iran

According to a tribunal bid cited by Norwegian broadcaster NRK, grounds includes records of his communications with a interaction allegedly guiding his espionage activities. The antheral reportedly admitted to collecting and sharing accusation with Russian and Iranian authorities but denies the espionage charges, his attorney, John Christian Elden, confirmed.

“He is accused of obtaining accusation that could jeopardize the information of 3rd countries,” Elden said.
The fishy co-runs a information institution with a dual nationalist of Norway and an Eastern European country. Authorities are present reviewing the company’s operating license.

The arrested antheral is besides studying information and preparedness astatine Norway’s Arctic University (UiT), marking the 2nd espionage lawsuit linked to the university. In 2022, a UiT impermanent researcher arrested for espionage was aboriginal revealed to beryllium a Russian quality serviceman posing arsenic a Brazilian academic.

Norway, which shares a 198-kilometer borderline with Russia, has tightened restrictions connected Russian nationals since the warfare successful Ukraine began successful 2022. The authorities is considering gathering a borderline obstruction to further bolster security.

Investigations into the existent lawsuit are ongoing, with PST confirming nary further suspects astatine this time.

(With inputs from AP)