U of C graduate detained by Norway, accused of being Russian spy

A purported Brazilian researcher, who has been identified as a graduate of theUniversity of Calgary, has been detained on suspicions of being a Russian spy, Norway's domestic security agency said Tuesday.

Jos Assis Giammariaconvocated in fall 2018 with a master of strategic studies, the U of C confirmed in a statement to CBC News on Tuesday afternoon.

Speaking to CBC News, Gunhild Hoogensen Gjrv, a professor in security studies at the Arctic University of Norway, saidGiammariatook an internship at her university in December of last year.

Gjrv saidGiammariahad contacted her with a request to participate in research at the university. He sent his resume and grades, andGjrvsaid she followed up with professors atthe University of Calgary.

She saidGiammariaworked at the university as a researcher and participated in seminars. She found out about his arrest on her way back from conferences in Canada earlier this week.

"I got a message from the police security service here in Norwaythat they wanted to meet with me and my husband right away,"Gjrv told CBC News on Tuesday, adding she was later informed by her boss thatGiammaria's office had been "ransacked" and that he had been arrested.

Gjrv said she didn't thinkGiammaria would have had access to any information that would be considered classified.

"Healso could use sort of like a general computer in our office. If he's technologically savvy, then I cannot say anything about what he had further access to with regards to that," she said.

Norwegian broadcaster NRK reported thatGiammariawas apprehended Monday on his way to his job. The Norwegian Police Security Service told The Associated Press that it"is concerned that he may have acquired information about Norway's policy in the northern region."

Thomas Hansen,Giammaria's lawyer,told Norwegian newspaper VG that his client denied any wrongdoing.

In 2019,Giammariawrote an article for The Canadian Naval Review, advocating for the potential of establishing bases in the Canadian arctic.

The editor for that publication,Ann Griffiths, said she receives a variety of unsolicited submissions, one of which was the piece fromGiammaria. She said that was as far as his relationship with the publication went.

"The situation is very unsettling," she wrote in an email.

WATCH | Jos Assis Giammaria earned a masters in strategic studies at the University of Calgary:

Academic with ties to Canada arrested for espionage overseas

2 years ago

Duration 2:12

An academic who built his career in Canada has been arrested in Norway for espionage and is accused of being a secret Russian agent. Experts say there are likely others lurking in the halls of Canadas universities.Correction: A previous version of this story contained an incorrect photo. It misidentified a person who was unrelated to the story. That image has been removed and the story updated.

U of Csaid in a statement that students in the programs are taught by professors and instructors, not military professionals, to build a "well-rounded understanding of the drivers of military, security and strategic decision-making."

"No access to information is provided that any other student in any other program wouldn't have," said thestatement.

"Academic credentials are confirmed through the registrar's office. Claims of identity and criminal background are the purview of the federal government as part of the immigration process."

Federal election campaign canvasser in 2015

Whilehe was in Canada, Giammaria volunteered for Sean Devine'spolitical campaignas an election worker in 2015. At the time, Devine was seeking to represent the riding ofOttawa-Nepean for the NDP.

Speaking to CBC News on Tuesday night, Devinesaid he didn't remember him well, but recalled thatGiammaria was a good speaker.

"He had a really impressive resume," addedDevine, who now sits on Ottawa city council. "He was a good volunteer."

Devine said he has not been in contact with Giammaria since hiscampaign work seven years ago.