"Berg is accused of spying for Norway. He collected information about nuclear submarines. He was recruited by the Norwegian intelligence service and agreed to cooperate with it for a monetary reward. He was detained while receiving information from a Russian citizen who worked at a defence company and acted under FSB supervision," state prosecutor Milana Digaeva said.
READ MORE: Norwegian Firm Seeks $17Mln in Damages Over Pressure to Spy on Russia — Reports
Retired Norwegian border inspector Frode Berg, 62, was arrested in Moscow in December 2017.
He is charged with being involved in spying on Russia’s northern fleet, and was seized while on what he claims was a weekend holiday trip. The Russian authorities believe he served as a courier to bring documents and cash for Norway’s military intelligence unit known as E-tjenesten.
According to his attorneys, Berg, who is facing a minimum of six years in prison but can be sentenced to as long as 20 years, denies being a spy.
The trial is closed to the public.