On Tuesday, a Russian guest researcher at the University of Tromsø was arrested on suspicion of espionage. Investigations carried out by news show that there are several hundred Russians affiliated with Norwegian universities. – It is striking that there are so many, especially in Northern Norway, says Ola Kaldager about the number of Russian employees and students at Norwegian universities. Kaldager is the former head of intelligence section E-14. On Wednesday, Kaldager told news that Norway has been naive for 20 years and that it has been free for Russians to carry out espionage in Norway. Now he says that PST should hold talks with Russians associated with Norwegian universities to clarify their situation. Ola Kaldager, former head of intelligence section E-14. Photo: Benjamin Fredriksen / news – I think it can be a useful signal to send to Russians in Russia if there is someone who tries. – What can be uncovered with such conversations? – You come across people. PST has its specialists when it comes to questioning. They can certainly get in touch with these people and get information about how they themselves see the situation, says Kaldager. PST has not responded to news’s questions in connection with this case. No order to investigate Russians Hanne Solheim Hansen is rector at Nord University. On Thursday, they had a meeting with Russian employees and students. – As an employer, we have a duty. It is to take care of the staff and the students we have, regardless of their nationality. Rector Hanne Solheim Hansen, Nord University, says they have less cooperation with Russia after the invasion, but take care of their employees and students. Photo: Nord University Solheim Hansen says it’s about getting together to discuss what the situation is and explain what Nord University can do as an employer. The university has previously been ordered to end cooperation with Russian institutions. They have implemented that. – But we have not been ordered to investigate those who are here now, or those who have been here before. Balance is important Tormod Heier is a former Norwegian officer and currently works, among other things, as a professor of military strategy and operations. He says he is unsure whether Norwegian colleges and universities should have the role of checking the background of Russian students and employees. It can quickly undermine their integrity and independence, he believes. – The universities are now experiencing a lot of cross pressure. They must look after their employees and students from Russia. At the same time, these represent a competence and knowledge on which Norwegian universities are completely dependent. Professor Tormod Heier says there should be a good distance between Norwegian universities and the country’s security services. If there are too close ties, he believes it will kill independence and integrity. Photo: Håvard Madsbakken – Then it is very important that they make sure that their students and employees do not feel suspicious, says Heier. The retired officer says, however, that this must be balanced with vigilance. – Such a balance will be the important thing today. The universities should avoid being drawn into the currents and mood waves that characterize society. – A social system we don’t want to be in Frode Mellomvik is director of the Nordic Center. They have cooperated with Russia for over 30 years. Mellomvik says it is not natural for them to investigate their Russian employees anything extra in connection with the charge linked to UiT. The Nordic Area Center is affiliated with Nord University. They have cooperated with Russia for a number of years. A total of 50 Russians have the university as their place of work or study. Photo: Bente H. Johansen / news – There are other authorities that will carry out checks on citizens whether they have the right to be in Norway, he says and adds: – If we were to do that, I am afraid that we will end up in a social system that we in Norway do not want to be part of.
ttn-69
Ola Kaldager believes that PST must have a conversation with Russians at a Norwegian university – news Nordland
