Norway has declared 15 employees of the Russian Embassy who were engaged in espionage activities under diplomatic cover to be undesirable persons.
This was announced on Thursday, April 13, by the press service of the Norwegian Foreign Ministry.
– The government has decided to declare 15 Russian intelligence officers who operated in Norway under diplomatic cover persona non grata. These employees must leave the country as soon as possible. No visas will be issued to intelligence officers who want to come to Norway,” the ministry said in a statement.
Foreign Minister Anniken Guitfeldt said that the 15 intelligence officers were engaged in activities incompatible with their diplomatic status.
– “This is an important step in countering and reducing the level of Russian intelligence activity in Norway and thus in protecting our national interests,” the Foreign Minister said.
Gueitfeldt emphasized that Russia is currently the biggest threat to Norway in terms of intelligence activities.
Despite this, Norway is committed to continuing to maintain normal diplomatic relations with Russia.
– We want Russia to continue to have a properly functioning diplomatic mission in Norway, but we will not tolerate it being misused for undercover intelligence activities,” the minister added.
Photo: Russian Embassy in Norway