Norway’s security police PST claims that the 15 Russian embassy employees recently declared personae non gratae worked for Russian intelligence, Reuters reported on Friday.
According to PST counterintelligence chief Inger Haugland, the diplomats’ real employers were Russian foreign intelligence agencies GRU and SVR as well as the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB).
While working under the guise of embassy staff, they actually sought to recruit sources, intercept communications, and buy advanced technology.
“This lowers the threat from Russian intelligence in Norway by permanently reducing the number of intelligence officers operating under diplomatic cover”, Reuters cites Haugland.
On Thursday, Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared 15 employees of the Russian embassy in Oslo personae non gratae. They will have to leave the country as soon as possible. The press release stated that the activities of said persons had been monitored over time and added that Norway will refuse visas to intelligence officers wishing to enter the country.
