In a case that’s sent shockwaves through diplomatic and intelligence communities, a former security guard at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo, Norway, has been convicted of espionage for Russia and Iran. The verdict, delivered by a court in Oslo on October 15, 2025, concluded a months-long investigation and trial that exposed the vulnerabilities of embassy security and the tangled web of international intelligence operations in the Arctic region.
The 28-year-old Norwegian man, whose identity has not been made public, was sentenced to three years and seven months in prison. Prosecutors and court documents, as reported by Associated Press and Fox News, allege he handed over sensitive details about the embassy’s diplomats, floor plans, and security routines, as well as personal information about diplomats’ families, to both Russian and Iranian intelligence services. The court’s judgment, made public the day after sentencing, stated the information he provided was "of a nature that could be used for direct actions and physical attacks against the concerned individuals." The court further noted, "The accused understood that disclosing this information could harm US security interests."
The man’s motivation, according to Norwegian state broadcaster NRK and court testimony, stemmed from his opposition to American support for Israel and the ongoing war in Gaza. During the trial, he admitted to spying but insisted his actions were a protest against the United States’ backing of Israel’s military actions. He maintained that the information he shared was not classified and denied criminal guilt, even as he acknowledged the facts laid out in the indictment.
Financial incentives were also at play. The court ruled that in exchange for his services, he received 10,000 euros from Russian intelligence and 0.17 bitcoin from Iranian intelligence. The prosecution, citing the seriousness of the offense, had sought a sentence of six years and four months—well above the three years and seven months ultimately handed down. Under Norwegian law, espionage is punishable by up to 21 years in prison.
According to Fox News, the defendant was working as a security guard at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo at the time of his arrest in November 2024. A Norwegian police official told Reuters that the man, while employed at the embassy, was also studying for a bachelor’s degree in security and preparedness at Norway’s Arctic University, UiT. This detail has drawn further scrutiny, as it marks the second such espionage case linked to UiT in recent years. In a previous case, a guest researcher at the university, initially believed to be Brazilian, was revealed by police to be a Russian national operating under a false identity. That individual was later involved in a high-profile prisoner exchange between the West and Russia.
Prosecutors argued that the former guard’s actions went beyond mere protest or political statement. They contended that he provided a trove of information, including the names, addresses, phone numbers, and license plate numbers of embassy diplomats and employees, as well as their spouses and children. He also handed over embassy floor plans, security routines, and a list of mail services used by Norwegian intelligence. These details, prosecutors said, could have been used by foreign powers to plan attacks or conduct further intelligence operations.
Despite the weight of the charges, the man’s defense attorneys offered a sharply different perspective. In a statement on Thursday, attorney Inger Zadig of the Elden Law Firm said, "He lied about having security clearance to agents from other countries and exaggerated his own role. He had roughly the same level of access as a janitor at the embassy. The information he shared was worthless and neither separately nor collectively capable of harming individuals or the security interests of any state." The defense maintained that the verdict raises important questions about what constitutes espionage under Norwegian law and indicated they are weighing whether to appeal the decision.
The court, however, found the defendant guilty of five espionage-related charges while acquitting him of gross corruption. While the defense considers an appeal, prosecutor Carl Fredrik Fari has stated that the prosecution is also contemplating appealing the sentence, given that the state had asked for a significantly longer prison term.
This case unfolds against the backdrop of heightened tensions between Norway and Russia, especially since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Norway, a NATO member, shares a 198-kilometer (123-mile) border with Russia in the Arctic. In response to the invasion, Norway has heavily restricted entry for Russian nationals and, in 2024, considered plans to build a fence along all or part of its border with Russia. Norwegian intelligence services have regularly identified Russia, Iran, and China as the principal foreign actors conducting intelligence operations within the country.
The incident has also reignited debates within Norway about the balance between national security and civil liberties. Some legal experts and commentators have questioned whether the information shared by the former guard truly constituted a threat to state security, especially given the defense’s claim that his access was minimal and the data was not classified. Others argue that the mere act of passing any sensitive information to hostile foreign powers can have unforeseen and potentially grave consequences, particularly in a region as strategically significant as the Arctic.
Diplomatic reactions have been measured but firm. The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment, according to Fox News Digital. Norwegian authorities, meanwhile, have underscored the seriousness with which they treat espionage cases, especially those involving critical infrastructure and foreign embassies.
The university connection has also raised eyebrows. As NRK reported, this is not the first time Norway’s Arctic University has been linked to international espionage cases. The previous incident involving a Russian national posing as a Brazilian researcher highlighted the challenges of vetting foreign nationals in academic settings, particularly in fields related to security and preparedness. University officials have since reviewed their internal security protocols, though details remain confidential.
For now, the convicted former guard remains in custody as both sides consider their next legal steps. The case stands as a stark reminder of the persistent threat of espionage in an era of shifting alliances and global unrest. It also highlights the complexities faced by small nations like Norway, perched on the edge of the Arctic and at the crossroads of great power competition.
As the dust settles, Norwegian authorities are left to grapple with the implications for their own security practices, border management, and the integrity of their academic institutions. The world, for its part, is watching closely—wondering what secrets, if any, remain at risk in the ever-evolving landscape of international espionage.