Information
A Norwegian citizen was arrested on Monday on espionage charges “that could benefit China,” as reported by the local news agency NTB, citing Norway’s security service. The authorities have withheld the suspect’s identity, but Norwegian media revealed that a lawyer representing the accused stated their client denies spying for Beijing. The suspect is scheduled to appear in an Oslo court on Tuesday.
This arrest aligns with Norway’s forecast of China being a significant intelligence threat this year. The Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) emphasized in their annual threat assessment published in February that China’s intelligence activities are increasingly concerning due to the deteriorating relationship between China and the West, China’s ambitions for more control over supply chains, and strategic positioning in the Arctic. The Chinese Embassy in Oslo has yet to comment on the incident.
Source: NTB, Reuters, AP
So what
The threat from Chinese intelligence has been well reported by all Western governments, some more vocally than others, and while China and their allies deny the accusations, the evidence indicates the opposite. While the accused has denied any wrongdoing, it is unlikely that Norwegian security services would move forward with an arrest unless they had significant evidence, as doing so puts them in a bind. Lastly, while uncovering a foreign spy operating in your country is a win, there will always be more; China’s appetite for intelligence collection is vast, and they likely have no issue using foreigners as expendable agents if required.
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