Guard at U.S. Embassy in Norway Accused of Spying for Russia and Iran

Authorities in Norway have arrested a Norwegian man who worked as a security guard at the U.S. embassy in Oslo, accusing him of passing sensitive information to Russia and Iran.

Under interrogation, the man, identified as Mohamed Orahhou, 27, admitted to collecting and sharing information with an officer from Russia’s domestic intelligence service, the S.V.R., as well as with unspecified Iranian officials, according to Norwegian authorities and Mr. Orahhou’s lawyer.

The authorities have not released details about the type of information involved, but on Thursday a court in Oslo, citing the seriousness of the accusations, ordered Mr. Orahhou to be jailed for four weeks pending further investigation. After that, another hearing will be held.

“This is a very serious case,” Thomas Blom, an official from Norway’s Police Security Service said in a text message to The New York Times. “We are at the very beginning of a rather extensive investigation.”

The arrest comes amid heightened concern over Russian espionage activities in Europe following a spate of arson attacks, vandalism and assaults against individuals, all of which have been linked to Russian operatives. This month, details emerged about an apparent Russian plot to place incendiary devices aboard cargo planes in Europe, and on Thursday, U.S. intelligence officials issued a warning to American defense companies to be vigilant in the face of potential Russian sabotage operations.

Last month, Ken McCallum, the chief of Britain’s domestic spy service, MI5, warned that Russian intelligence operatives were on a mission “to generate mayhem on British and European streets.”