The guard at the U.S. Embassy in Norway has been accused of engaging in espionage activities for Russia and Iran, with Bitcoin becoming a tool for compensation?

The shadow of international espionage activities once again looms over Europe. Norwegian authorities accused a former security officer at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo, Mohamed Orahhou, of conducting espionage activities on behalf of Russia and Iran against these two countries. Prosecutors listed evidence of a coordinated espionage scheme that they believe threatens Norway's national interests. More concerning is the revelation in the indictment that Mr. Orahhou received cash and Bitcoin from Russian and Iranian authorities as compensation for his espionage activities. This case not only highlights the intelligence war amid geopolitical tensions but also brings the association of crypto assets with illegal activities to the forefront once again.

The Double Life of a Former Embassy Guard: Leaking Sensitive Information

According to the indictment from the Norwegian National Organised Crime and Serious Crime Prosecution Authority, the Norwegian national Muhammad Olahu, who was arrested last November, collected and leaked sensitive information about Norwegian intelligence personnel and staff at the U.S. Embassy between March and November last year. One of Olahu's defense lawyers, Inger Zadig, stated to The New York Times that Olahu accepts the facts in the indictment but believes these actions do not meet the criminal standards set forth by Norwegian espionage law.

According to the indictment, the detailed information provided by Mr. Olahu to Russia and Iran includes: a confidential list of Norwegian intelligence personnel; the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of diplomats, embassy staff, and their families; as well as a draft of the embassy's emergency evacuation plan.

The indictment states that the intelligence collected by Olahu was handed over to Iranian and Russian intelligence officials at secret meetings in Serbia, Turkey, and Norway. After his arrest, Olahu admitted to the interrogators that he had collected this information and shared it with an official from the Russian intelligence agency SVR and unspecified Iranian officials.

Bitcoin as Spy Rewards: The Duality of Crypto Assets

The compensation methods revealed in the indictment have attracted widespread attention: Russian authorities paid Oleg 10,000 euros, while the Iranian side gave him 0.17 Bitcoins, worth about 10,000 dollars. This once again highlights the application of Crypto Assets in illegal activities, with its anonymity and ease of cross-border transfer making it a favored payment tool for some criminals.

The indictment states that Mr. Olahu took measures to cover his tracks, such as depositing some of the money he received into family members' bank accounts and then asking them to wire the money back to him. This demonstrates a high level of concern for the concealment of the flow of funds in espionage activities. The indictment does not specify how Mr. Olahu became associated with Russian or Iranian intelligence officials.

Increasingly Severe Spy Threats: Escalating Security Situation in Europe

The prosecutor believes that Ola Hu's actions violated Norway's espionage laws, as the leaked information harmed the "fundamental interests of the nation," benefited Iran and Russia, and put embassy staff at risk.

These accusations come at a time when there are growing concerns about Russian and Iranian espionage activities across Europe. According to research by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the number of suspected Russian sabotage activities in Europe has nearly quadrupled from 2023 to 2024. Ken McCallum, head of the UK's domestic intelligence agency MI5, stated last October that British security services had thwarted at least 20 plots supported by Iran, which posed a potential lethal threat to UK citizens. This case serves as a reminder to countries that national security challenges are becoming increasingly severe in a complex geopolitical environment.

Legal Defense and Trial Outlook: Controversies of Confidentiality and Degree of Damage

Ms. Zadig will defend Mr. Olahu alongside John Christian Elden. She stated that the defense's position in court will focus on questioning the degree of confidentiality of the leaked information and "whether it could harm the fundamental interests of the country"—a key issue for conviction under Norway's espionage law.

"If not, then sharing this information does not constitute a crime," Ms. Zedig wrote in a text message to The New York Times. "Our client does not have security clearance and cannot access information that could pose a significant threat to national interests," she added.

His trial is expected to begin next month. If all charges are upheld, Mr. Olahu will face a maximum of 21 years in prison. The outcome of this trial will have significant implications for Norway's national security laws and future convictions for espionage activities.

The case of the guard at the U.S. Embassy in Norway being accused of engaging in espionage activities for Russia and Iran not only reveals the complexity and concealment of international intelligence warfare but also once again brings the association between Crypto Assets and illegal activities into the public eye. This incident reminds us that in the digital age, the duality of Crypto Assets is becoming increasingly prominent; it is both a tool for financial innovation and potentially exploited by criminals. Governments and law enforcement agencies must strengthen regulation in the field of Crypto Assets while responding to espionage threats to curb its use for illegal purposes.