A series of inexplicable incidents have occurred – without any suspected perpetrator being arrested.
Now the Norwegian security police, PST, is warning that Russia’s intelligence service is trying to recruit criminals.
– In several countries, we now see that Russian intelligence has recruited local criminals, says PST director Beate Gangås to Dagbladet.
In several countries in Europe, the Russian intelligence service is suspected of having recruited criminals to carry out various types of missions and sabotage. According to the Norwegian security police PST, there is a high risk that criminals in Norway can be used.
– We are investigating several incidents. Russian intelligence uses criminals to carry out sabotage. We know from cooperation services in other countries that arms deliveries to Ukraine are particularly vulnerable, says PST manager Beate Gangås to Dagbladet.
“Recruiting digitally”
In Norway, the energy sector is singled out as particularly vulnerable and Gangås confirms that the Russian intelligence service has used various social media and messaging apps to get in touch with the criminals.
– The Russian intelligence service recruits digitally. It is also the case that those who receive and take on assignments do not necessarily understand who is actually the client, she says.
Sabotage in Finland
In Finland, several incidents and sabotage have occurred, without the police being able to explain what happened. Among other things, unauthorized people have entered power plants. Even in other European countries, local criminals have been used to spread fear and anxiety, writes Dagbladet.
According to Beata Gangås, it is therefore important to have broad cooperation.
– Contact with the industry is important, so that we can prevent. It is important that business is aware of what they can be exposed to. And what they must be extra aware of, she says.