The Irrawaddy has reported, that two human rights groups, Justice for Myanmar (JFM) and ICJ Norway, have filed a complaint with the Norwegian police against telecom giant Telenor and its former management, accusing them of violating Norwegian sanctions during the company’s operations in Myanmar from 2018 to 2022.
According to JFM, Telenor installed and maintained surveillance equipment for Myanmar’s state surveillance centre, which came under military control after the February 2021 coup. The groups argue that the transfer of this technology, including Lawful Interception Gateway systems, breached sanctions and enabled the junta to monitor citizens’ communications.
Telenor sold its Myanmar subsidiary to Investcom, part of Lebanon’s M1 Group, in March 2022. The sale included the controversial surveillance equipment, while rights organisations also allege that sensitive customer data was handed over to the junta. Critics link the use of such data to arrests of opposition figures, including veteran activist Ko Jimmy, who was executed by the regime in 2022.
ICJ Norway chairman Terje Einarsen said the case is of “strong public interest” as Western countries increasingly rely on sanctions to uphold international law. JFM’s spokesperson Yadarnar Maung added that Telenor should be investigated for “aiding crimes against humanity” by enabling real-time surveillance of Myanmar citizens.
