Norwegian authorities have opted against indicting controversial immigrant Mullah Krekar on charges he financed terrorism and was involved in political murders in northern Iraq. Dropping the case may help clear the way for Norway to deport Krekar back to Iraq.

Mullah Krekar's fate remains unclear but Norwegian authorities now may be able to deport him.

Norway's cabinet minister in charge of immigrant matters, Erna Solberg, has repeatedly said she wants to get Mullah Krekar out of Norway. She has called him an endangerment to national security, while it's long been suspected that he violated the terms of the asylum he was granted in Norway more than 10 years ago.

Sending Krekar out of the country, however, hasn't been easy. His case has drowned in complicated legal maneuverings and it appears Krekar and his family would just as soon stay in Norway, at taxpayer expense, instead of moving back to an uncertain future in Iraq.

The political chaos in Iraq has been among the major factors preventing his deportation. Norway on principle won't send refugees, legitimate or not, back to countries where their lives may be in danger. Moreover, it remains unclear to whose authority Krekar would be transferred: US-led coalition forces or a new fledgling Iraqi self-governance system.

Nor will Norway send refugees or even convicted criminals back to countries where they may face a death penalty. At present, Iraq has no death penalty, but if one is put back in place under Iraqi rule, Krekar could likely avoid returning.

No indictment

Meanwhile, Norwegian prosecutors said Tuesday they won't indict Krekar on earlier charges that he has financed terrorism and was involved in political murders in northern Iraq. Krekar, who lead the guerrilla group Ansar al Islam there, has been alleged, for example, to have encouraged suicide bombers.

Prosecutors had kept Krekar in custody earlier this year while they attempted to gather evidence against him related to his earlier guerrilla activities in northern Iraq. Now, however, they won't pursue the case against him on the grounds of insufficient evidence.

Prosecutors also claimed potential witnesses in the case against Krekar were being threatened and tortured, and in at least one case, had changed their testimony under pressure.

A court case would have required Krekar's continued presence in Norway and likely dragged on for many more months. Krekar had said earlier that he hoped he would be indicted, so that he would have a chance to clear himself in court.

'Relieved'

Krekar's lawyer, Brynjar Meling, said he was relieved the terrorism charges were dropped but noted that the background for the decision may lie in the state's desire "to more easily and quickly send Krekar out of the country."

Meling claims the state has no grounds to deport Krekar. He also plans to claim compensation from the state on behalf of Krekar.

Cabinet Minister Solberg said the public prosecutor's decision to drop the case against Krekar "changes nothing" regarding the state's case for deportation.

Via Aftenposten News in English.

Freedom and Politics [10:01]