arctic living
Northern Norway: Chinese Citizen Arrested For Aiding Attempted Espionage
Norwegian police have carried out an operation at an address in Northern Norway. A woman from China has been arrested and will be remanded in custody on Friday.
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A Chinese citizen has been arrested for aiding an attempted act of serious intelligence activity, the Norwegian Police Security Service told NRK.
In connection with the case, police have searched two addresses - one on Andøya in Northern Norway and one in Otta in Southern Norway.
NRK understands that a woman has been arrested and that there are several other suspects in the case who have not been detained.
The woman will be brought before the court for a remand hearing on Friday.
Seized the satellite
"The operation is due to suspicion that a Norwegian-registered company is functioning as a cover for Chinese intelligence that intends to download satellite data which could harm Norway's security if it became known to a foreign state", police attorney Thomas Blom told NRK.
We may be a target
The Police Security Service has seized the satellite receiver and halted the plans to put it into operation.
The woman's lawyer told NRK that she is currently unable to comment on the charge.
Not informed
Andøya Space, which facilitates international satellite and rocket launches on Andøya, has not been notified of the arrest or the police operation.
"I do not know whether we should have been either. But we understand that we may be a target. We have prepared as well as we can, remain vigilant and keep an eye on our surroundings. That is basically the most important thing one can do", CEO Ketil Olsen told NRK.
A pokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry tells NRK that they "reject baseless and malicious accusations", and assume that Norway will safeguard the woman's legal rights.
The Police Security Services national threat assessment for 2025, point to China as a key intelligence threat.
"We are a target for China because of our geographical location, influence in international forums, and our close alliance with the United States. The most important means of influence remain economic. This could include the acquisition of property near critical infrastructure, military installations, or infrastructure of military importance", the report says.
