Spy on the Nobel? The director of the Institute denies a leak of information on the winner Nobel for Peace and talks about another scenario. “Motivations can be political or economic”
The five members of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee, along with the director of the Nobel Institute in Norway, Kristian Berg Harpviken (left, front) Photo: Profimedia
A possible leak of information that preceded the announcement of the assignment of the Nobel Peace Prize to the Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado could be “very likely” to espionage, the Nobel Institute indicated on Saturday.
The name of the Venetian opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, the one who won the Nobel Peace Prize 2025, had a spectacular growth on the Polymarket predictive betting platform, before the official announcement. Increased from 3.75% to almost 73% in a few hours, although its designation had been done secret.
And although it was only the next day to be made the official announcement, at Polymarket, an online platform that works as an “scholarship” in which users can bid on different events, it seemed clear that the laureate was known. This although no expert nor the press had mentioned his name among the favorites of the Nobel Prize.
This has sparked suspicions, including fears of a possible leak of information, and the director of the Nobel Institute, Kristian Berg Harpviken, said that research will be done.
In an interview with the Norwegian TV2 television channel, he also spoke about another scenario.
“It is very likely about espionage,” said the director of the Nobel Institute, Kristian Berg Harpviken.
“If it is necessary, we will even meet the Security”
“It is no secret to anyone that the institute is the victim of espionage,” he said, adding that “this lasts for decades.”
“It is obvious that the institution is interested in actors eager to obtain information, whether it is states or other organizations,” he said. “Motivations can be at the same time political or economic.”
Harpviken said the Nobel Institute will carry out an investigation. “If necessary, we will strengthen the Security even more,” he added.
How did he find out? Ana Blandiana, disclosures from the backstage of the Nobel Awards: “We were notes that if we make our proposal, it will no longer be considered, because the proposals are secret”
The winner, kept secret until the last moment
Kristian Berg Harpviken is also the one who announced Maria Corina Machado that she won the prize, asking her to keep this secret for five minutes, until the official announcement.
The emotional moment was recorded and posted on social networks. And this moment highlights the operating mechanism regarding the announcement of the winners.
“I'm sorry to wake you up at midnight to send you this. We don't have much time. In fact, we make the announcement in just a few minutes,” Harpviken Laureate Nobel told him.
In the past, unexpected names of laureates have appeared in the Norway press, a country that awards the Peace Prize, feeding speculation on possible leakage. But this has not happened in recent years.
Maria Corina Machado, awarded “for her tireless work in favor of democratic rights”
Prevented from applying for the presidential elections of 2024 in Venezuela, Maria Corina Machado was rewarded with the Nobel Peace Prize “for her tireless work in favor of the democratic rights of the Venezuelan people and for her struggle for a fair and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy,” according to the Mobel Committee.
Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez Urutia, the other leader of the Venezuelan opposition, received the Saharov prize last year for the freedom of thought from the European Parliament.
Video Trump says he was called by the Nobel Peace Winner. “I did not say to him,” Then give me “”
