Russians arrested with drones at Storskog – admits to flying in Norway

Crime and justice: The police have asked for two weeks’ detention for the Russian, and the ruling is expected by Friday at the latest. Whether he has filmed, and if so what he has filmed in this country, the police will now investigate.

– He was stopped at Storskog on 11 October on his way out of Norway. It was a normal check by the customs and police where they discovered drones in his luggage, says police attorney Anja Mikkelsen Indbjør in the Finnmark police district to NRK.

Currently, the man is charged with breaching the Sanctions Act and the Sanctions Regulations, which came into force after Russia went to war against Ukraine. According to NRK, the section in question states that Russian companies or citizens are not allowed to fly in Norway.

The charges against the man may be extended, and the Norwegian Public Prosecutor’s Office will then take over the investigation.

In addition to the drones, the man had several electronic storage devices with him. Indbjør says the police will go through the seizure to look at the scope and content of the drone footage.

– It is good that the police are vigilant and have good control over Storskog, she says.

Mehl adds that she cannot comment on the specific case.

– But we have implemented a number of measures recently to make ourselves better equipped to face an increased intelligence threat and opportunities to avoid someone circumventing the sanctions rules. According to the sanctions regulations, it is forbidden for Russian persons to fly drones in Norway, says the Minister of Justice.

Mehl has previously said that if necessary, the border at Storskog can be closed at short notice. Now she repeats this, but so far she believes the police have good control.

– There has not been a very large increase in traffic over Storskog, and therefore we do not think it is right now. The police have increased their vigilance and carry out checks together with the Customs Service, she says.

– He acknowledges the facts, says the Russian’s defense lawyer Jens Bernhard Herstad to Dagbladet.

The police asked for two weeks’ imprisonment, but the man has requested to be released, Herstad says.

The ruling from the Inner and Eastern Finnmark District Court is expected on Thursday evening or Friday.

Minister of Justice Emilie Enger Mehl (Sp) tells NTB that she is aware of the case.

The Russian who was arrested at Storskog this week admits to having flown a drone in Norway.