Denmark accuses China, Russia and Iran of espionage threat

FILE PHOTO: Icebergs float in a fjord near the south Greenland town of Narsaq July 28, 2009. REUTERS/Bob Strong/File Photo

COPENHAGEN — Denmark warned on Thursday of a rising espionage threat from Russia, China, Iran, and others, including in the Arctic region where global powers are jostling for resources and sea routes.

The Danish Security and Intelligence Service said there had been numerous examples of attempted spying on Denmark, whose active global role had helped make it a tempting target.

“The threat from foreign intelligence activities against Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands has increased in recent years,” Anders Henriksen, head of counterintelligence at the Danish Security and Intelligence Service, said in a report.

Greenland and the Faroe Islands are sovereign territories under the Kingdom of Denmark and also members of the Arctic Council forum. Copenhagen handles most of its foreign and security matters.

The report cited a 2019 incident of a forged letter purporting to be from Greenland’s foreign minister to a U.S. senator saying an independence referendum was in the offing.

“It is highly likely that the letter was fabricated and shared on the Internet by Russian influence agents, who wanted to create confusion and a possible conflict between Denmark, the USA, and Greenland,” it said.

The Russian embassy did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Moscow has scoffed at recent spying accusations from the West.

The Arctic has increasing geopolitical importance, with Russia, China, and the United States vying for access to natural resources, sea lanes, research, and militarily strategic areas.

The Danish report also said foreign intelligence services – including from China, Russia, and Iran – were trying to make contact with students, researchers, and companies to harness information on Danish technology and research.

Reuters found in November that a Chinese professor at the University of Copenhagen conducted genetic research with the Chinese military without disclosing the connection.

“Denmark’s active participation on the international stage, the growing globalization and international competitiveness, the general openness of society, digitalization and a high level of technological knowledge are all factors which make Denmark an attractive target of foreign intelligence activities,” the report said.

There was no immediate response from the Chinese or Iranian embassies either.