Norwegian police arrest Chinese woman on spying allegations

Norway’s domestic intelligence service said the suspect allegedly tried to set up a receiver to collect sensitive satellite data

Authorities in Norway arrested a Chinese citizen on espionage allegations on Thursday in connection with a purported effort to set up a receiver to collect sensitive satellite data, the country’s domestic intelligence service said.

Norwegian security officials also searched two premises in connection with the arrest, including one on an island in northern Norway that is home to Andoya Spaceport, which is part of Europe’s efforts to expand its presence in space. The other search took place in Innlandet, in southern Norway.

Police launched their operation on the suspicion that a Norwegian-registered company was operating as a front for a Chinese state actor, the Police Security Service (PST) said.

The suspect, who was identified only as a Chinese woman, allegedly tried “to establish a receiver for satellite downloads from satellites in polar orbits suitable for collecting data that could harm fundamental Norwegian interests if it becomes known to a foreign state”, PST lawyer Thomas Blom said in a statement.

Police said the satellite receiver in question had been seized and that the alleged plans to install and operate it had been halted.

The incident “involves complicity in an attempt at serious espionage against state secrets”, the statement said.