Norwegian citizen detained in Russia

"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 news 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.

Few details are currently available, and Russian local media in the Murmansk region has for now not mentioned the news.

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 an 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 arrangment. The 30 kilometres zone on the Russian side includes the two towns of Nikel and Zapolyarny.

A total of 4255 crossings took place in May, with a vast majority being Russian citizens. 

The detained is allegedly a businessman from Kirkenes, who frequently is traveling to Nikel, according to newspaper Dagbladet. The arrest happened a few days ago.

Nikel is the nearest town from the border, about 45 minutes drive from the checkpoint between the two countries. Murmansk is an additional three hours drive.

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. 

This article will be updated as more information becomes available.