Norwegian-based Islamic cleric on trial over threats

Feb 15, 2012, 9:50 GMT

Oslo - A Kurdish Islamic cleric went on trial in Norway on Wednesday charged with making threating statements against the leader of the opposition Conservatives, among others.

The trial centres on remarks Mullah Krekar, who uses the name of Najmuddin Faraj Ahmand, made during a news conference in June 2010 where he said that Erna Solberg, leader of the Conservative Party, would 'pay a price' if he was deported from Norway.

In her opening statement, prosecutor Marit Bakkevig said the remarks constituted terrorism as they could be considered a death threat.

Other charges included remarks Krekar made in a television interview 2009 urging people to fight US soldiers in Iraq and threatening three Kurds.

Krekar said he denied guilt but admitted to making the remarks when asked how he pleaded, public broadcaster NRK reported from the Oslo district court house.

Krekar, who uses the name of Najmuddin Faraj Ahmand, has for several years been a controversial figure. He was granted asylum in Norway in 1991, but ordered to leave the country in February 2003 over violating his refugee terms and his alleged links to the Islamist organization Ansar al-Islam.

The deportation has never been effectuated, partly over concerns that he risked the death penalty in Iraq.

Solberg, leader of the opposition Conservatives, handled refugee issues during 2001 to 2005 under a previous government.