The espionage is mainly directed against leading politicians, the Norwegian Defence and private industry.

The spies are interested in high tech information, classified NATO documents and high level decision-making.

Much of the espionage is carried out via the Internet, and the Norwegian National Security Authority (NSM) has registered an increased number of such attacks over the past years, NRK reports.

The PST does not want to reveal which countries are involved in this espionage, but says that new countries have joined the illegal activity.

(NRK)

Rolleiv Solholm