Russian National Bochkarev to Return Home Soon - Upper House Speaker

MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 19th October, 2018) Russian citizen Mikhail Bochkarev, previously detained in Norway on the suspicion of illegally gathering data, is expected to visit the Russian embassy in Oslo and return to Russia after the meeting, Russian upper house speaker Valentina Matviyenko said on Friday.

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.

Bochkarev denies accusations. On Thursday, a Norwegian court ruled not to prolong his arrest. The Norwegian police appealed the decision, but later withdrew its appeal saying that Bochkarev would be released on Friday.

"I have been constantly receiving and continue to receive information from Norway. As far as I know, our consular officers have left for Bochkarev. In the near future, the Russian ambassador to Oslo is expecting his arrival at the embassy building. After the meeting, our employee will fly home to his family and friends," Matviyenko told reporters.