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A former security officer at the US embassy in Norway has been convicted of spying for Russia and Iran, according to a report.
The 28-year-old Norwegian, whose identity has not been made public, was sentenced Wednesday to three years and seven months, the Associated Press reported.
A Norwegian police official reportedly told Reuters at the time of the suspect’s arrest last November that he worked at the US embassy in the Norwegian capital Oslo.
The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday from Fox News Digital.
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The main entrance is pictured at the American Embassy in Norway. A former security guard was convicted this week of spying for Russia and Iran, according to a report. (U.S. Embassy Norway)
Prosecutors said the man passed on details about the embassy’s diplomats, its security plans and procedures, among other information, Norwegian public broadcaster NRK reported. The channel added that US ties to Israel and the war in Gaza prompted the man to contact Russia and Iran.
The suspect admitted to the indictment but denied any criminal culpability, according to the AP.
The man’s defense lawyers said in a statement Thursday that the verdict raised questions about what is considered espionage under Norwegian law.
“He lied about his security clearances to agents of other countries and exaggerated his own role,” attorney Inger Zadig of the Elden law firm told the AP. “He had about the same level of access as an embassy janitor. The information he shared was worthless and neither separately nor collectively could it harm individuals or the security interests of a state.”
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Norwegian and American flags are seen on a table at the Pentagon. (Alex Brandon/AP/File)
The defendant was convicted of five espionage-related charges and acquitted of gross corruption. His lawyers are considering whether to appeal the verdict.
The 28-year-old man who was convicted of espionage was working as a security guard at the U.S. Embassy in Norway last November, a police official told Reuters. (U.S. Embassy Norway)
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At the time of his arrest last November, the man was studying for a degree in security and preparedness at the Arctic University of Norway, UiT.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
