In Latvia, a Belarusian citizen has been sentenced to eight years in prison for espionage. The alleged spy was arrested in February by Latvian security authorities. The man is said to have collected information for the Belarusian secret service, the Latvian news agency Leta reported Friday, citing the competent court in Riga.
The now convicted man was being investigated for collecting information about military objects of the Latvian army and about vital infrastructure. According to the authorities, he had also made secret film and photo recordings. House searches also found technical equipment and storage media, the security police said at the time.
There have also been more arrests in recent months of Russians in Norway who apparently took pictures of critical infrastructure with their drones. Russians are not allowed to fly unmanned aircraft due to sanctions in Norway. That includes drones. Violations are punishable by up to three years in prison.
Alleged spies released in Norway
The detainees protested that they were tourists and were released.
Drones have been sighted time and again in energy infrastructure, including on offshore oil and gas platforms. These reports and the sabotage of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea have prompted the country to step up its security measures. (jwg/SDA)