A 27-year-old Norwegian man who worked as a security agent at the United States embassy in Oslo has been formally charged with espionage on behalf of Russia and Iran, according to legal documents obtained by AFP on Wednesday.
The man, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, is accused of transmitting sensitive information about the embassy’s operations over a period stretching from March 2024 until his arrest on November 20, 2024.
Prosecutors say he was paid in both euros and bitcoin for his services.
According to the indictment, the accused supplied one or both of the foreign powers with contact information for U.S. diplomats, embassy employees, and their family members.
He also allegedly disclosed diplomatic license plate numbers, embassy floor plans, security routines, and even a list of couriers used by Norway’s intelligence services.
“These were serious acts, notably because the aim was to reveal information to a foreign state,” said the Norwegian prosecution service in the indictment dated July 22.
The suspect has reportedly admitted to passing along certain information but denies the specific charges laid against him, according to his lawyer, Inger Zadig, who spoke to broadcaster TV2.
Authorities also allege that the man attempted to conceal over €17,000 in payments by distributing the funds across bank accounts belonging to others within his personal network.
If convicted, he could face a prison sentence of up to 21 years.
Norway’s intelligence agency has repeatedly identified Russia, Iran, and China as the most significant espionage threats to the country.
As a NATO member, Norway shares a direct land border with Russia in the Arctic, heightening security concerns in the region.
