Norwegian citizen detained in Russia
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that a Norwegian man has been detained by Russian law enforcement authorities. The man is from the border town Kirkenes and is allegedly charged with possession of firearm or ammunition.
"We are aware that a Norwegian citizen has been arrested in Russia, and we are working to establish contact and provide practical assistance," said communications adviser Mariken Bruusgaard Harbitz at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The incident was first reported by the newspaper iFinnmark. According to the newspaper, the man is living in Kirkenes, the border town located a few kilometres from Russia's Murmansk region.
"We are currently obtaining information through the foreign service and our own channels, but understand that he has been remanded in custody until 25 July and is suspected of possession of a firearm or ammunition," said John Christian Elden, the man's lawyer, to newspaper VG.
On a couple of previous occasions, Norwegian citizens have been fined after Russian border authorities found forgotten hunting ammunition in their vehicles. Hunting and outdoor pursuits are common hobbies among people living in the Kirkenes region.
Few other details are currently available, and Russian local media in the Murmansk region has for now not mentioned the incident.
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has since 2022 advised Norwegian citizens against travelling to Russia. However, some people still travel there, particularly those with dual citizenship, Norwegian and Russian.
Norway and Russia still have a visa-free travel arrangement for people living less than 30 kilometres from the border. That includes Kirkenes and most of Sør-Varanger municipality on the Norwegian side.
According to the police in charge of immigration control, 226 of the border crossings that took place in May were by Norwegians traveling under the visa-free arrangement. The 30-kilometres zone on the Russian side includes the two towns of Nikel and Zapolyarny.
A total of 4,255 crossings took place in May, with the vast majority involving Russian citizens.
The individual detained is a businessman from Kirkenes, who frequently travels to Nikel, sources familiar with the matter told the Barents Observer. The arrest happened a few days ago.
Nikel is the town nearest to the border, about a 45-minute drive from the checkpoint between the two countries. Murmansk is an additional three hours away. Russia has a Consulate General in Kirkenes which issues visas to locals that want to travel to Murmansk.
Norway's diplomatic mission in Murmansk was closed in 2022. The Consulate General in St. Petersburg is still open. So is the Norwegian Embassy in Moscow.
