The man in his 30s was arrested in Ullensvang in Vestland in October. He is charged with having illegally flown a drone in several places in Western Norway. The trial against the man took place this week in Hordaland district court. This is the first of four similar cases to be brought before Norwegian courts this autumn. PST has all responsibility for investigating incidents involving drones. Due to the sanctions laws, it is illegal for Russians to fly aircraft in Norway. This also applies to drones. The prosecution will punish him with 120 days of unconditional imprisonment. One week before his arrest on 13 October, the man was stopped for the first time by Norwegian police, but he was quickly allowed to drive on. This is the drone with which the now drone-accused Russian took pictures and video in Norway. Drone image taken above the Pulpit in Rogaland. Landscape image taken from the drone of the Russian. Overview image taken from the air. This was in Agder. A caller had responded that he was flying a drone in Bykle. – I reacted to him flying up the valley. It is not that far to the power station, which is important for the power supply for 50 percent of the rest of the country and Oslo, said the caller in court on Tuesday. The caller refers to Holen power plant. Was dismissed on the spot The police officer who drove out to the man told the court that he got to see the videos of the Russian. He showed videos of natural landscapes, and the police officer in Agder could not see that power stations had been filmed. – It was a small selection. But there were several files I didn’t see. He was cooperative, so I can’t remember who took the initiative to watch the videos, said the police officer in court. The Russian appeared in court in hiking clothes. He says he owns a travel agency in St. Petersburg. Photo: Julianne Bråten Mossing / news This is what the defendant explained to Maxim on the first day of court: The police officer says that he contacted the local PST in Agder and explained the situation. The operations center is also involved. – After 15–20 minutes, he was told that he was dismissed on the spot, said the police officer. The police officer says the Russian man should not have been told that it was illegal for Russians to fly a drone, but claims he told the Russian to be careful because of the political situation. The defendant posted this photo on Instagram from Kjeragbolten by Lysefjorden. Photo: Screenshot from Instagram Prosecutor and state attorney Marit Formo does not believe that the meeting with the police in Agder gave the Russian the green light to fly a drone: – The prosecution cannot see that it has any effect on the defendant’s diligence. It was not part of the defendant’s investigations. He had done his own research online, and at the time had already flown a drone in Norway. The conversation had no impact on the choice to fly the drone, Formo said in court. – Should have familiarized himself with the regulations In the investigation of the case, PST has not found video materials or images showing critical infrastructure. State Attorney Marit Formo at the National State Attorney’s Office. Photo: Julianne Bråten Mossing / news The prosecution has therefore assumed that the defendant was a tourist in Norway. The prosecution nevertheless believes that the Russian has broken the sanctions laws and is asking for a prison sentence for the man. – It is a general requirement that the perpetrator himself is obliged to familiarize himself with duties and rules in special areas. The defendant is responsible for familiarizing himself with the rules about flying a drone as a Russian in Norway, the prosecutor said in court. She highlights the political situation in Europe as a result of the war. The man posed in a T-shirt with the words “Preikestolen”. Photo: Julianne Bråten Mossing / news She believes the drone flight has created uncertainty for Norwegian authorities and individuals. The Russian has told the court that he googled “use of drone Norway”, and that he does not remember having examined regulations specifically related to Russians in Norway. – He should have done that, said Formo. Believes he must be acquitted The Russian denies guilt Defense attorney Einar Råen believes the man should be acquitted. If the court finds that the man has done something punishable, the defender believes that he must be fined as much as possible. He says, among other things, that the defendant could not possibly have known about the regulations when the police themselves did not take them into account in Agder, and believes that the flight is a breach of formality. Einar Råen is defending the accused Russian. Photo: Julianne Bråten Mossing / news
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Russian charged with drone was allowed to fly the drone on by local police – the prosecutor asks for 120 days in prison – news Vestland
