A Chinese citizen arrested near a military facility in northern Norway on suspicion of attempted illegal intelligence activity has been released from custody after investigators said the grounds for suspicion had weakened, according to Norwegian broadcaster TV 2.
The man was arrested on May 15 and accused of attempting to gather information related to state secrets after he was found staying in a bunker near Bodø Airport, home to military facilities including a NATO air operations centre.
According to Norway’s Police Security Service (PST), the decision to release the man follows further investigation and extensive questioning.
“The grounds for suspicion have been weakened through the investigation carried out so far,” PST prosecutor Kathrine Tonstad told TV 2.
The investigation will continue before being forwarded to Norwegian prosecutors for a final decision.
Although released from custody, the man is not expected to remain in Norway. PST said local police authorities will detain him under immigration legislation while preparing a case for deportation or expulsion from the country.
The man’s lawyer, Tor Haug, said his client has consistently denied the allegations.
“My client has maintained his innocence throughout and insists he is not a spy,” Haug told TV 2.
The case attracted significant attention in Norway because the bunker where the man stayed was located close to military installations in Bodø, including facilities linked to NATO operations in the High North.
