Norwegian Minister Resigns After Personal Trip to Iran

Norwegian Fisheries Minister Per Sandberg resigned from his position following severe criticism for not informing the government about his personal trips to Iran and China. The 58-year-old did not explain why he failed to notify his superiors in advance about these trips. He traveled to Iran in July with his Iranian-born girlfriend and to China in May. Government members in Norway are required to inform authorities before personal trips to other countries. Mr. Sandberg's work phone was handed over to Norway's domestic security agency after his return from Iran to ensure it was not hacked. The domestic security agency has classified Iran as a 'high-risk' country for electronic eavesdropping. Mr. Sandberg, who is the deputy secretary-general of the Progress Party, an anti-immigration party that is part of Norway's coalition government, admitted that he traveled to Iran in July with his new girlfriend, Bahareh Letnes, without notifying the Prime Minister's office. Conservative Prime Minister Erna Solberg stated on Monday, August 13, that 'Mr. Sandberg himself requested to resign, and I think it was the right decision. He did not adhere to security protocols.' This incident received widespread media coverage in Norway, and members of Mr. Sandberg's party also criticized him heavily, in addition to opposition party members. Bahareh Letnes, Mr. Sandberg's Iranian girlfriend, had her asylum request rejected three times but ultimately received residency in Norway due to concerns that she might be forced into marriage if she returned to Iran. The Progress Party, of which Mr. Sandberg was the deputy secretary-general, advocates for a strict immigration policy and calls for the expulsion of all rejected asylum seekers while strongly criticizing the return of those granted political asylum to their home countries. Mr. Sandberg initially apologized in a statement but ultimately decided to resign as more details of the incident emerged. Another point revealed is that he also took his work phone on his trip to China in May. On Monday, Mr. Sandberg told reporters, 'It's sad. I hoped to complete new plans.' However, he declined to comment on the personal aspects of the matter. Norway's security agency has begun an investigation into Bahareh Letnes, who has denied any connection with the Iranian government. In addition to resigning from his ministerial position, Mr. Sandberg has also stepped down from the deputy secretary-general role in the Progress Party.