An Oslo court convicted a 28-year-old former security guard at the U.S. Embassy in Norway of espionage on Wednesday. Judges ruled that the Norwegian man spied for Russia and Iran, sentencing him to three years and seven months in prison.
Prosecutors said the man leaked details about embassy diplomats, floor plans, and security procedures, according to state broadcaster NRK. He acknowledged the facts of the indictment but denied any criminal intent.
Investigators said the man contacted Russian and Iranian agents after becoming angered by U.S. ties to Israel and the war in Gaza. The case marks one of Norway’s most serious espionage convictions in recent years.
Defence Argues Shared Information Had No Value
The man’s defence attorneys released a statement on Thursday, arguing that the ruling raises questions about how Norwegian law defines espionage.
“He lied about having security clearance and exaggerated his position,” said attorney Inger Zadig of Elden Law Firm.
“He had the same access as a janitor. The information he shared was worthless and could not harm any country’s security.”
The court found him guilty of five espionage-related charges but acquitted him of gross corruption.
Prosecutor Carl Fredrik Fari said his team may appeal the sentence, as the state had requested more than six years in prison. The defence team is also considering an appeal of the verdict.
At the time of his arrest last November, the defendant was studying security and preparedness at Norway’s Arctic University (UiT). NRK noted this is the second espionage case connected to the university in recent years.
Espionage Tensions Rise Along Norway’s Border with Russia
In 2022, Norwegian police arrested a UiT guest researcher who used the false identity José Assis Giammaria. Authorities later identified him as Mikhail Valeryevich Mikushin, a Russian intelligence officer, who was later released in a major prisoner exchange between Western nations and Russia.
Norway shares a 198-kilometre Arctic border with Russia. Since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Norway has imposed strict entry restrictions on Russian nationals.
Last year, the Norwegian government announced it was considering the construction of a border fence to strengthen national security and prevent potential infiltration by foreign agents.
The latest conviction underscores Norway’s growing concern about espionage in the Arctic region and its strategic role within NATO amid rising tensions with Moscow.
