Telenor siktet for mulig medvirkning til forbrytelse mot menneskeheten

PST og Kripos have launched a joint investigation on Tuesday at Telenor's headquarters, stating the probe concerns two matters: suspicion of violating sanctions law and suspicion of involvement in crimes against humanity. Both concerns relate to Telenor's previous operations in Myanmar. No individual has been named or investigated, the company emphasized.

The military coup in February 2021 created significant uncertainty for Telenor. The company sold its operations there after writing them down at 6.5 billion kroner. David Fidjeland, Telenor's PR chief, wrote in an email to TV 2: "The coup was a tragedy for the people of Myanmar, where we experienced being put in an impossible situation without any good alternatives.

Our employees risked imprisonment, torture, or the death penalty if the military's demands were not met. We felt we had no real choice, and that we could not put our employees' lives at risk." PST and Kripos have started separate investigations against the company. The company is named in both cases. "Kripos' suspicion concerns involvement in crimes against humanity, from the military coup on February 1, 2021, until Telenor's entire subsidiary, Telenor Myanmar Ltd. (TML), was sold on March 25, 2022," the police statement said.

The investigations cover a long period and sequence of events, with overlapping information needs, according to the company. "The reason for the investigation is that from TML, historical communication data about customers was repeatedly delivered to the military regime, while the regime was responsible for extensive violations against parts of the civilian population," Kripos and PST wrote.

Telenor notes in a shareholder notice that the investigation is a continuation of an ongoing dialogue the company has had with Norwegian authorities for a long time. During this period, the company has provided extensive documentation and information to the authorities. "PST has charged Telenor with violating sanction legislation, by selling the TML including sanctioned surveillance equipment, without receiving permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," the police statement said.

"PST and Kripos are cooperating in the investigations. Today, following decisions from the Oslo District Court, PST and Kripos are conducting a joint raid at Telenor AS's headquarters in Fornebu, Oslo," the police wrote. "The company will do its utmost to clarify the case as far as possible," the company said in its shareholder notice. Telenor's stock fell immediately after the news became known.