Norway Arrests US Embassy Guard on Suspicion of Espionage for Russia and Iran

A security guard at the US embassy in Norway has been arrested on charges of espionage, suspected of working for Russia and Iran, a Norwegian security police official announced on November 21.

Police reported that the suspect, a man in his early 20s, was arrested at his home on Wednesday, November 20. On Thursday, the court placed him in custody pending the investigation. According to NRK, the court's ruling mentions that the police found correspondence between the suspect and an alleged handling officer.

The man's lawyer, John Christian Elden, stated that his client had communicated with intelligence officers from Russia and Iran.

"He has explained himself about his contact with intelligence agents from Russia and Iran but it is unclear whether he has had secret information that would mean that anti-espionage laws could be used against him," Elden told Reuters. "Further investigation will show whether he is guilty of a crime or not."

Previously in October, the Director General of the Security Service (MI5) warned of threats emanating from Russia's GRU . He stated that Russia seeks to generate “sustained mayhem” on British and European streets by resorting to sabotage, arson and other dangerous actions.