Malaysian detained in Norway on suspicion of spying - Wisma Putra

KUALA LUMPUR: Wisma Putra has confirmed the arrest of a Malaysian national in Norway on suspicion of espionage.

In a statement, it said the Malaysian Embassy in Stockholm was in close contact with local authorities in Oslo to obtain further information about the case.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to monitor the developments in this case and will extend consular assistance as needed," the statement said.

On Monday, the Norwegian press reported that local authorities have arrested a 25-year-old Malaysian student on suspicion of spying in the country.

The arrest, made by the Norwegian intelligence service PST, took place on Friday evening.

According to reports, PST initiated the arrest after surveillance cameras outside government offices recorded the movements of the suspect's rental car.

It is believed that the male suspect was attempting to access electronic communications by either parking near or driving around these government buildings.

While the exact motive and the entity the suspect may have been working for remain unclear, PST lawyer Thomas Fredrik Blom told the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) that there is no suspicion of Malaysian involvement in the alleged espionage.

NRK reports that the suspect has denied the allegations against him.

The suspect is reportedly not enrolled in any Norwegian educational institution and has only recently arrived in Norway.