Police informed of Malaysian's arrest in Norway, says home minister

The police have been informed by Norwegian security forces of the arrest of a man believed to be a Malaysian in Oslo, Norway on suspicion of involvement in espionage, says Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

He said the police would examine all information received and were ready to cooperate with the investigation.

"I was briefed by the Inspector-General of Police (Razarudin Husain) yesterday afternoon with regard to the background of the case, but we are still waiting for complete information.

"For now, the Norwegian security forces have informed our security forces of the individual's status, background and certain evidence they have chosen to share with us," he told reporters in Putrajaya yesterday.
 
On Sept 12, the foreign ministry through the Malaysian embassy in Stockholm confirmed that a man believed to be a Malaysian citizen had been arrested for suspected involvement in espionage in Norway.

International media agencies reported that a 25-year-old Malaysian student in Norway had been arrested by local authorities for alleged spying, including the use of various technical devices for eavesdropping.

According to the report, the Norwegian police intelligence agency known as PST claimed that the man had attempted to spy on the prime minister's office, the defence ministry and other government offices in Oslo.

PST told Norwegian Broadcasting that the man, who was arrested on Sept 8, had been charged in court with espionage.