Norwegian businessman arrested in Russia

A Norwegian citizen from Kirkenes has been arrested in Murmansk, Russia, with legal representation confirming the detention but declining to specify charges.

Advocate Farid Bouras of Elden Advokatfirma told Dagbladet his firm is assisting the detained man, a businessman from the northern Norwegian town bordering Russia. Bouras, alongside advocate John Christian Elden, confirmed the arrest but stated the case remains in its preliminary stages.

“We can confirm we are assisting a Norwegian citizen from Kirkenes who has been arrested in Murmansk,” Bouras said. “The matter is at an early stage, so I cannot provide further details.”

The advocates did not disclose whether Russian police or the FSB security service carried out the arrest. Local sources in Kirkenes told Dagbladet the businessman frequently traveled between Sør-Varanger and the Russian border town of Nikkel, continuing his visits even after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine made obtaining visas more difficult.

An acquaintance of the detained man, who spoke with Dagbladet on condition of anonymity, said the businessman had previously expressed feeling safe in Russia.