UK police admit leaking Norwegian teen’s data, offer £1,000

British authorities have admitted leaking sensitive personal data belonging to a 19-year-old Norwegian man facing trial in England, where he risks 45 years in prison, Dagbladet reports.

The Metropolitan Police Service released a copy of the teen’s passport—with inadequate redaction—to media representatives, exposing his Norwegian national identity number and other identifying details, according to his lawyer, Farid Bouras of Elden Advokatfirma.

In a response to Bouras, the UK Crown Prosecution Service acknowledged the breach: “We recognise that some of your client’s personal data was disclosed to the media, and that this constitutes a breach of data security.”

The disclosure was described as “unintentional” and attributed to human error. British authorities have offered the Norwegian teen £1,000 (approximately 13,000 NOK) in compensation for the distress caused.

Bouras rejected the offer, stating: “We do not accept the British counter-terrorism police’s attempt to downplay either the seriousness of the breach or its consequences for my client. Nor do we accept that £1,000 constitutes fair or adequate compensation in light of the admitted facts.”

The teen, from Stavanger, was reported to UK police by Norwegian authorities on suspicion of traveling to England to carry out a contract killing for the Swedish criminal gang Foxtrot, allegedly for 25,000 euros (around 280,000 NOK).

Bouras told Dagbladet the compensation offer had been formally declined, adding: “My client reserves the right to pursue legal action without further notice and to seek damages, interest, legal costs, and any other remedies the court deems just and appropriate.”

The trial in London is ongoing, with no immediate verdict expected.