A former Norwegian security officer attached to the US Embassy in Oslo has been charged with espionage over claims that he leaked sensitive diplomatic and intelligence-related information to Russia and Iran.

Court documents seen by AFP show that the 27-year-old man, whose name has not been disclosed, is accused of sharing classified materials between March 2024 and November 20, when he was arrested.

Prosecutors allege he received payments in both euros and bitcoin in exchange for the information.

According to the indictment dated July 22, the man is said to have given foreign agents, believed to be linked to Moscow, Tehran, or both, confidential personal details of American diplomats, embassy staff, and their families.

He is also accused of disclosing diplomatic license plate numbers, internal security blueprints, embassy security procedures, and a list of couriers connected to Norway’s intelligence agency.

“These are grave offenses, especially as they involved the transfer of sensitive information to foreign states,” stated the Norwegian prosecution service in its legal submission.

Authorities say the suspect tried to hide more than 17,000 euros in illegal earnings by funnelling the funds through bank accounts belonging to individuals close to him.

While the man has reportedly admitted to some of the actions, he has denied the formal charges, according to his lawyer Inger Zadig, who spoke to Norway's TV2.

If found guilty, he faces up to 21 years in prison under Norwegian law.

Norwegian intelligence has consistently identified Russia, Iran, and China as top threats in terms of foreign espionage. As a NATO member with a strategic border in the Arctic, Norway is considered a valuable target for hostile intelligence operations.