Norwegian law enforcement authorities have launched formal investigations into majority state-owned telecommunications operator Telenor ASA for alleged sanction breaches and potential complicity in crimes against humanity in Myanmar.
Police raided the company’s headquarters in Oslo last Tuesday following announcements by the Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) and the National Criminal Investigation Service (Kripos), reports Reuters and Myanmar Now.
PST is spearheading the probe into suspected sanctions violations, whilst Kripos is examining allegations of complicity in atrocities committed by Myanmar’s military junta following the 2021 coup.
Raid on Oslo headquarters
According to Kripos, Telenor repeatedly disclosed sensitive personal data – including historical traffic records, call logs, and location information – for 536 user numbers belonging to pro-democracy activists.
The disclosures took place during widespread abuses by the junta following the February 2021 military coup and prior to Telenor completing its exit from Myanmar in March 2022.
In one prominent case, teledata surrendered to the military led to the arrest and subsequent execution of hip-hop artist-turned-member of parliament Phyo Zayar Thaw in July 2022.
His widow, Tha Zin Nyunt Aung, along with two Myanmar civil society organisations, filed a lawsuit against Telenor. A Swedish non-profit has also initiated a class-action lawsuit over the data transfers.
Responding to the allegations, Telenor acknowledged sharing customer data but stated that its staff faced risks of imprisonment, torture, or the death penalty if military directives were refused.
The firm affirmed that it was placed in an impossible situation with no real choice and is cooperating fully with police investigators. Authorities confirmed that current proceedings target the corporate entity rather than individual executives or affiliated companies.
If convicted, Telenor could face financial fines and asset confiscation.
Illegal transfer of surveillance equipment, sanctions violations
The sanctions investigation led by PST focuses on Telenor’s sale of its Myanmar subsidiary to Lebanese investment firm M1 Group, which was completed in March 2022.
Under conditions imposed by the junta, M1 Group transferred an 80 per cent controlling stake in the business to Shwe Byain Phyu, a conglomerate linked to the Myanmar military.
Investigators assert that this transaction resulted in the unlawful transfer of sanctioned surveillance technology and spyware to military-linked entities, breaching Norway’s Sanctions Act.
PST noted that Telenor failed to obtain mandatory prior approval from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs before transferring the communications equipment. Norway has maintained sanctions on Myanmar since July 2018 following the military campaign against Rohingya civilians in Rakhine State.
Long-awaited legal accountability
The opening of the investigation marks the culmination of a multi-year effort by human rights groups.
Previous complaints submitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in June 2023, as well as a joint filing by civil society organisation Justice for Myanmar and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), were initially rejected or closed without inquiry.
Justice for Myanmar and the ICJ appealed against the decision to the National Public Prosecutor’s Office in late 2025, detailing accusations that Telenor aided and abetted the regime’s crimes against humanity.
The prosecutor’s office urged PST to investigate further, leading to the formal opening of inquiries in March 2026.
Yadanar Maung, spokesperson for Justice for Myanmar, welcomed the police decision, expressing hope that it would lead to accountability for harms suffered by the Myanmar population due to Telenor’s conduct and divestment.
