Police in Norway’s capital, Oslo, on Saturday arrested a Norwegian citizen suspected of illegally handing information to a Russian intelligence officer.
The man, who was not named, was suspected of “harming vital national interests”, which could carry a sentence of up to 15 years in prison.
“The person arrested held meetings with an officer from the Russian intelligence agency”, the PST intelligence agency said.
DNV GL, a company that provides certification for insurance purposes for the maritime, oil and gas and renewables industries, confirmed the suspect was one of its employees.
The PST said the man “had access to information which, in our opinion, could be of great interest and significance to other countries and other actors”.
A judge on Monday ordered the man detained in custody for four weeks, the first two in isolation. He denies any wrongdoing, according to his lawyer.
Russia’s embassy in Oslo did not immediately comment on the arrest.
