Norwegian billionaire detained in NATO procurement fraud investigation
A 50-year-old Norwegian businessman and three associates have been arrested on suspicion of inflating invoices for NATO ship-maintenance services.
Authorities in Norway have placed four men in preventive detention, including a 50-year-old billionaire who runs a company supplying maintenance services to NATO vessels in Norwegian ports. The firm subcontracted parts of the work to Global Defense Logistics, a Romanian company overseen by Gabriel Darban, brother of Mihai Darban, president of the Romanian Chamber of Commerce. Investigators allege that the Norwegian firm and its staff repeatedly charged NATO inflated fees for services rendered from 2021 through 2025, leading to a multinational investigation launched after irregularities were spotted in 2023.
The suspect denies any wrongdoing, claiming he does not understand the basis of the accusations. A fifth individual linked to the case is being investigated while free.
Why it matters
The case highlights potential corruption in NATO procurement and raises concerns about oversight of defense contracts.
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