Russia detains Norwegian man for alleged espionage

A 62-year-old Norwegian man has been arrested in Russia on suspicion of espionage, local media reported Tuesday.

Frode Berg was arrested earlier this month due to possession of secret documents in Moscow and was accused of sharing sensitive information about the Russian North Fleet with US and Norwegian authorities, Xinhua cited broadcaster TV2 as saying.

Moscow's Lefortovsky court ruled on December 6 to detain Berg until February 5. Spying has a penalty of ten to 20 years in prison, according to Russian law.

"The foreign service at the embassy in Moscow has been in contact with the prisoner and assistance is provided in accordance with the current guidelines and framework for consular assistance for Norwegian citizens detained abroad," Frode Overland Andersen, Director of Communications at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was quoted as saying.

He added that Berg got a lawyer and that the ministry could not provide further information about the reason of imprisonment "due to statutory duty of confidentiality."

--IANS

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