Authorities in Norway arrested a Chinese citizen on espionage allegations Thursday, with the case tied to an alleged attempt to set up equipment that could receive sensitive satellite information, Norway’s domestic intelligence service said.
The operation involved searches at two sites in Norway, including one on an island in northern Norway that is home to Andøya Spaceport, part of Europe’s efforts to expand its presence in space. Police also searched a second location in Innlandet in southern Norway, according to PST and the description of the police action reported by The Associated Press.
PST said police launched the operation on suspicion that a Norwegian-registered company was being used as a front for a Chinese state actor. The police statement, made through PST police attorney Thomas Blom, said the arrest was connected to the alleged effort to establish a receiver for satellite downloads from satellites in polar orbits.
Blom said the receiver would be suitable for collecting data that could harm “fundamental Norwegian interests if it becomes known to a foreign state.” He added that the incident “involves complicity in an attempt at serious espionage against state secrets,” in comments accompanying the arrest account.
Police said the satellite receiver in question had already been seized and that alleged plans to install and operate it had been halted. The police statement also said several other people had been charged in connection with the case, but did not provide additional details, including their nationalities or whether they were arrested.
Andøya Space’s CEO, Ketil Olsen, said in a statement Thursday that the company had no connection to the person involved and had “not observed any activity related to our operations in this matter.”