Norwegian authorities accused telecoms group of complicity in crimes against humanity and sanctions breaches after 2021 coup
By Arakan Journal
September 16, 2026
Oslo/Yangon – Norwegian authorities have charged telecoms group Telenor with complicity in crimes against humanity and breaches of sanctions over its former Myanmar operations, accusing the company of repeatedly handing sensitive customer data to the country’s military regime after the 2021 coup.
Norwegian police and security services raided Telenor’s headquarters in Oslo on Tuesday as part of investigations into the company’s activities in Myanmar between the February 2021 military takeover and its withdrawal from the country in March 2022.
Norwegian police said Telenor Myanmar had repeatedly provided the military authorities with historical traffic data about customers during 2021 and 2022, while the military was carrying out what authorities described as extensive abuses against civilians.
The allegations have raised questions over whether access to telecommunications data contributed to the military’s ability to identify and target people following the coup.
Telenor said it would cooperate fully with investigations but argued that its Myanmar employees faced grave risks if they refused orders from the military authorities.
The company said employees could face imprisonment, torture or the death penalty and that it had found itself in an “impossible situation with no good alternatives.”
$782 million Myanmar investment written off
Telenor entered Myanmar as the country opened its telecommunications sector and built a large mobile network serving millions of customers.
Following the military coup, however, the company faced increasing pressure from the junta over surveillance and access to customer information.
Telenor ultimately wrote off its entire $782 million investment in Myanmar and sold its local business in March 2022.
The company had previously acknowledged a conflict between Myanmar’s local laws and its corporate values, international law and human rights principles.
Telenor said its decision to sell the business was driven in part by concerns for the safety of its employees.
Sanctions investigation
Norwegian authorities are also investigating an alleged breach of sanctions connected to the sale of Telenor Myanmar.
The Norwegian Police Security Service said the transaction involved surveillance equipment subject to sanctions and that the transfer had not received approval from Norway’s Foreign Ministry.
Telenor said no individuals had been charged or were under investigation.
Myanmar crackdown
The allegations come against the backdrop of a sweeping military crackdown that followed the overthrow of Myanmar’s elected government in February 2021.
Human rights groups have reported thousands of arrests and widespread killing, torture and other abuses during the military’s campaign against opponents and civilians.
Mobile phones have also become a key source of information for Myanmar’s security forces. Rights groups have reported that soldiers and police frequently seized phones from people during arrests and street searches, allowing authorities to access personal information and communications.
Justice for Myanmar, a rights advocacy group that previously filed a complaint with Norwegian authorities over possible sanctions violations, welcomed the charges against Telenor.
The group said it hoped the investigation would lead to accountability for what it described as serious harm caused by Telenor’s operations and its withdrawal from Myanmar.
The Norwegian investigations remain ongoing. The charges are allegations and do not constitute a final judicial determination of Telenor’s criminal responsibility.
Arakan Journal will continue to monitor developments in the case and provide further updates as information becomes available.
Sources: Norwegian Police/Kripost, Norwegian Police Security Service (PST), and Financial Times.
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