Moscow Demands Russian National Bochkarev's Immediate Release Following Oslo Court Ruling

The Russian Foreign Ministry demanded on Thursday that Russian national Mikhail Bochkarev, who was detained in Norway on suspicion of involvement in spying activities, be immediately released after a court in Oslo ruled against extending his arrest citing the absence of proof.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th October, 2018) The Russian Foreign Ministry demanded on Thursday that Russian national Mikhail Bochkarev, who was detained in Norway on suspicion of involvement in spying activities, be immediately released after a court in Oslo ruled against extending his arrest citing the absence of proof.

However, the court said earlier in the day that Bochkarev's release had been suspended after the prosecution announced it would appeal the ruling.

"We once again demand an immediate release of M.A. Bochkarev and lifting of all fake accusations against him. It is obvious that the PST [Norwegian Police Security Service] has no proof of Bochkarev's made-up guilt," the ministry's statement read.

Bochkarev, a staff employee of the Russian parliament, was detained at the Gardermoen airport outside Oslo on September 21 following his participation in an IT conference in Norway's parliament, arranged by the European Center for Parliamentary Research and Documentation. The Norwegian security suspects Bochkarev of gathering data via wireless signals and networks in the parliament building. On September 22, the court authorized Bochkarev's arrest which was later extended until October 18. Bochkarev has denied all accusations.