HELSINKI (AP) — Norwegian Authorities Arrest Foreign Student on Suspicion of Espionage
A 25-year-old foreign student has been apprehended in Norway on charges of espionage, specifically for engaging in illegal eavesdropping activities using various technical devices. Norway’s domestic security agency, known as PST, disclosed that the individual was arrested on Friday and officially charged on Sunday with espionage and intelligence operations against the Nordic country.
The arrested individual, whose identity and nationality have not been disclosed, has pleaded not guilty during preliminary police questioning. The Norwegian authorities have not revealed which country the suspect allegedly spied for.
“We are still uncertain about the nature of this case. We are currently in a critical and vulnerable phase of the investigation,” stated PST lawyer Thomas Blom, as quoted by Norwegian public broadcaster NRK. “The suspect is accused of utilizing technical installations for illegal signal intelligence.”
Law enforcement officials have confiscated several data-carrying electronic devices from the suspect, which are currently under investigation by the PST. Although the individual is a student, they are not enrolled at any educational institution in Norway and have only been residing in the country for a relatively short period, according to the PST.
Based on the arrest warrant, NRK reported that the suspect was allegedly caught conducting illegal signal surveillance in a rental car near the Norwegian prime minister’s office and the defense ministry.
Following a court decision, the suspect has been placed in pretrial custody for a period of four weeks, with restrictions on receiving letters and visits. Security officials have also stated that the suspect was not acting alone.
In previous assessments, PST has identified neighboring Russia, China, and North Korea as state actors that pose a significant intelligence threat to Norway, a nation with a population of 5.4 million.
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