Advarer om hemmelighold i Forsvaret: Øker korrupsjonsrisiko

Security secrets have become prevalent across all sectors in Norway, as revealed by Økokrim's latest threat assessment for the next two years, which was released on Thursday. According to Petter Skjærvø, acting head of the anti-corruption unit at Økokrim, corruption risk is extensive, affecting everything from car mechanics to politicians and other prominent individuals. E24 interviewed Skjærvø in Økokrim's modern new offices in Oslo.

Økokrim's threat assessment is an annual analysis of the most significant threats of economic and environmental crime in Norway in the coming years. Geopolitical instability also increases the risk of corruption. The Norwegian government has allocated 191.7 billion kroner for defense spending next year, ten times more than the 2026 budget.

This provides greater opportunities for actors seeking personal gain. The defense sector in Norway is small, with a short distance between suppliers and military personnel, according to Skjærvø. Simultaneously, the need for secrecy in the defense sector is a challenge. "We know that increased secrecy provides more grounds for corruption risk," Skjærvø explains.

Økokrim highlights weaknesses in defense procurement management and internal control over the years. A 2022 external evaluation of the Defense alert system showed that the alert protocol should be strengthened, including better guidelines and clearer responsibility allocation. "There is a strong reason to believe that some actors in the defense sector will unfairly seize resources," Skjærvø says.

Over the past years, several major corruption cases have dominated the news. Former Norsk Industri CEO Stein Lier-Hansen was found guilty of gross corruption and gross financial misconduct in May and sentenced to five years in prison, but challenged the verdict. Former top diplomat Mona Juul was indicted for gross corruption after Epstein files surfaced, and she is under investigation by Økokrim. Additionally, Skjærvø mentions two cases they expect to see more of in the next two years.