Norwegian security service flagged company owner in 2024 over Andøya espionage case

The Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) was alerted as early as 2024 about the owner of a company now central to allegations of complicity in attempted serious intelligence operations on Andøya, Dagbladet reports.

A Chinese citizen was arrested on Thursday at Andøya in Nordland, northern Norway, on suspicion of aiding attempted espionage. Police simultaneously searched two properties—one on Andøya and another in Otta, Innlandet—both owned by a Singapore-registered company linked to a Singaporean national who had been flagged to PST two years prior.

Three individuals, including the company owner, remain under investigation but have not been detained. The company itself is also formally suspected of involvement, according to PST prosecutor Thomas Blom.

Property purchase and data centre concerns

The Singaporean’s company acquired the Andøya property in April this year. He had previously been connected to plans for a data centre in Vågå municipality, which later raised suspicions. Local authorities grew concerned when the facility’s operations appeared to shift toward cryptocurrency mining. In 2024, the municipality arranged a meeting with PST and the Norwegian National Security Authority (NSM) to voice alarm over the project, which was never fully completed or operationalised.

PST has not yet confirmed the 2024 alert to Dagbladet, but the security service alleges the company served as a front for “a Chinese state actor’s attempt to establish a receiver for satellite downloads from polar-orbiting satellites, capable of gathering data that could harm fundamental Norwegian interests if obtained by a foreign state.”

Suspect denies involvement

The Singaporean owner told VG he was “not entirely sure what has happened,” adding, “My understanding is that a Chinese woman has been identified as a spy?” He claimed no involvement in espionage and stated that a Chinese acquaintance in Singapore had introduced him to individuals seeking business opportunities in Norway, leading to the Andøya property purchase.

The arrested woman, a Chinese national, was remanded in custody for four weeks—with the first two in complete isolation—following a court hearing in Oslo on Friday. Her defence lawyer declined to comment. Chinese authorities dismissed the allegations, stating they “reject groundless and malicious accusations” and expect Norway to uphold the woman’s legal rights, according to a foreign ministry spokesperson in Beijing.

Andøya Spaceport a key target

Andøya hosts Norway’s only spaceport, a critical site for satellite launches and military technology testing. Ketil Olsen, CEO of Andøya Space, confirmed the company had no prior notice of the arrest but acknowledged heightened interest in the facility from external actors, citing ongoing threat assessments by PST and police.

“We work closely with police, PST, and the defence sector,” Olsen said, emphasising the site’s strategic importance.