Freedom Party urges Norwegian government to repurchase Åsegarden military camp amid rising security concerns

The Freedom Party is urging the Norwegian government to repurchase the Åsegarden military camp, which they had previously voted to close two years ago. Per-Willy Amundsen, a member of parliament for the Freedom Party in Troms, criticized the decision to sell the camp, especially in light of Russia’s subsequent invasion of Ukraine. He believes the government could exercise its right of expropriation to regain ownership if a purchase cannot be negotiated amicably.

The Ministry of Defense has no plans to acquire the property. Amundsen expressed his dismay at the establishment of an asylum center at Åsegarden shortly after the parliament approved a study to increase military training capacity in North Norway.

He referred to the previous decision to close Åsegarden as a significant mistake, taken just prior to Russia’s aggression. Previously, around 1,000 soldiers were stationed at the camp near Harstad, which is now preparing to welcome 25 unaccompanied minor asylum seekers.

The military had terminated its agreement with Åsegarden in 2019, following a parliamentary vote in 2016 supporting the camp’s closure. Amundsen emphasized that his party has consistently warned against downsizing defense infrastructure, despite their own participation in previous decisions.

He is now requesting Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram to reconsider the camp’s purchase. If amicable negotiation fails, Amundsen insists that expropriation would be justified based on national security interests. The current government does not intend to revisit the camp’s repurchase or comment on the previous closure decision. The local municipality had hoped for the camp to continue housing defense activities.