After IT attack, Norwegian Prime Minister warns Putin: “We will not allow this. It’s unacceptable”
Norway's clear reaction to Russia's IT attack shows that we will not be picked on, Prime Minister Erna Solberg (H) emphasizes.
Norway’s clear reaction to Russia’s IT attack shows that we will not be picked on, Prime Minister Erna Solberg (H) emphasizes.
On Tuesday night, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Norway believes Russia was behind the IT attack on the Norwegian parliament (Storting) recently.
“It is important for the government to give a clear message to the Russians that we do not accept this. That is why we also clearly named those behind this attack,” Solberg told news bureau NTB on Wednesday.
“It is unacceptable that Norwegian politicians in the Storting are attacked through a cyber attack. It must be reprimanded,” she added.
At the end of August, the Storting discovered that unknown hackers had managed to gain access to some Storting representatives and employees’ email accounts.
The case became publicly known on September 1.
Evidence
As far as NTB is aware, the Norwegian authorities don’t plan to go public with the evidence for accusing Russia.
The Storting has nevertheless been informed about the matter in somewhat greater detail.
“The evidence is based on what our intelligence sources have given us. These are not things we are going to go out with. The government has based this on what we have been presented with,” Solberg said.
She added that the investigation is continuing in the Police Security Service (PST).
Troubled relations
Norway’s relations with Russia have been troubled for a long time.
A new low was reached when Russia annexed the Ukrainian Crimean peninsula in 2014.
The IT attack on the Storting is now new stress on bilateral relations.
According to the Norwegian authorities, there is reason to believe that other countries are also exposed to similar attacks.
Work has been underway recently to compile and analyze information about the attack.
Based on the technical traces left by the attack, according to the authorities, it seems to follow a pattern that is also known from other places.
Norway will not show weakness
Solberg emphasized that it is important for Norway not to show weakness towards the Russians.
“What is important for us is that the Russians know that we know about this and that they stop with this type of operations,” she said.
“We will not be picked on,” Solberg concluded.
© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today
