Norway: 'My death will cost Norwegian society'

Norway: 'My death will cost Norwegian society'

Yesterday Mullah Krekar held a press conference, for the foreign press in Norway. He didn't want to speak to the Norwegian press, whom he says are his enemies, and slipped out of the room before they could catch him outside.

During the press conference he threatened anybody who might be responsible for his death.


This article was prepared by the Islam in Europe blog - islamineurope.blogspot.com


"My death will cost Norwegian society. If, for example, Erna Solberg kicks me out of the country and is the reason that I die, then she will suffer the same fate. I don't know by whom. Ansar al-Islam, Al-Qaida, I don't know. Whoever," said Krekar.

Solberg is the head of the Conservative Party.


(Reuters and al-Jazeera were there, but have yet to report about it)

For a full report on the press conference, see Views and News from Norway.

Krekar's lawyer, Brynjar Meling, said that whoever thinks these statements are criminal, should report them to the police. Siv Jensen of the Progress Party did exactly that.

"These are obviously threats from a man who was formerly declared a danger to state security. It's serious that the police didn't respond immediately," she told Dagbladet.

"I guess it's the government who banned the police from doing anything, the Progress Party will lodge a complaint this morning."

Q: How serious do you think the threats are?

"It's very serious. First, it demonstrates he has a network and contacts within terrorist organizations - and yet the man is free. So he makes threats directly against Norwegian politicians. Now the authorities have sat by silently long enough and probably the police too. The line has been crossed by far."

PST, the Norwegian security service, is considering taking action.

"We are now considernig what to do. In relation to authority figures, we contiualsly asses the situation. Nowe we have to see if we have to recommend measures for their protection. But also if we should take any action in relation to Krekar," spokesperson Martin Bernsen told Dagbladet.

Asked if Mulla Krekar would be arrested, Bernsen answerd that it's an option, as is calling Krekar in for a talk, or stepping up his surveillance.

This is the second time Krekar had made serious death threats. In April he made such death threats against several Kurds living in Norway.

The Ministry of Justice admits it's a paradox that innocent Iraqis are being forcibly deported, while Mulla Krekar gets permission to stay in Oslo.

Krekar risks a death sentence in Iraq, and therefore can't be deported. This is the position of the Norwegian government, and in addition Norway is bound by international obligations.

"It's naturally a paradox that we return those who didn't do anything criminal, but not Krekar, who is accused of being a threat to state security," Secretary of State Pål K. Lønseth told NTB.

Earlier this week, nine Iraqis were deported to Badgad, despite UN warnings.

Sources: VG 1, 2; Dagbladet 1, 2 (Norwegian)

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