In the northern Norwegian city of Tromsø, a man has been arrested on suspicion of espionage. The suspect posed as a Brazilian researcher. However, the Justice Department suspects that the man is actually from Russia and is spying for the secret service.
A man in Norway is suspected of spying for Russia under a false identity. As reported by the Norwegian broadcaster NRK, the Brazilian researcher was arrested on Monday on his way to work at the university in Tromsø, Norway. The Norwegian secret service PST therefore suspects that he is actually Russian, works for a Russian secret service and is in the country with false papers.
Deputy intelligence chief Hedvig Moe told the broadcaster that he had been asked to be deported because he posed a threat to national interests. The Ministry of Justice and Public Security ruled that the suspect should remain in detention for up to four weeks while the case is being processed.
According to NRK information, the man came to the university in autumn 2021 with a research assignment. There he is supposed to be part of a research group that researches hybrid warfare. The PST fears that in the meantime it has gathered information about Norway's politics in northern areas. While this is not yet a threat to the state, Moe said there is concern that the information could be misused by Russia.
University rector Dag Rune Olsen confirmed to the newspaper "Dagbladet" that he had been informed of the arrest on Monday. He intends to hold talks with employees who have been in contact with the suspect. Tromsø is located in the far north of Norway, where the Scandinavian country also borders Russia further east.
