Posted on 06/09/2005 9:26:05 PM PDT by Eurotwit
Former Ansar Al-Islam leader mullah Krekar compared his goal for Kurds with the establishment of the state of Israel as he testified in his trial to overturn a decision to expel him from Norway.
Laywer Brynjar Meling (right) and mullah Krekar during a pause in proceedings at Oslo's Court of Appeals. On Thursday morning mullah Krekar began his explanation of why he should not be sent out of the country.
Before beginning his testimony the mullah kissed the Koran and said that Norwegian authorities were justified in their investigation but explained that he felt a victim of religious persecution.
"I perceive this as being due to my faith. Sixty years ago it was the Jews in this situation, 27 years ago it was the Shia Muslims. Today they all have power in their countries," mullah Krekar said.
Norwegian authorities have decided to return mullah Krekar, born Najmuddin Faraj Ahmad, to his native Iraq, on the grounds that he poses a threat to national security and has violated the terms of his residency permit.
Krekar's lawyer Brynjar Meling argues that Norwegian authorities have consistently attempted to construct a false image of the former leader of the militant Kurdish Islamist group Ansar al-Islam.
"There is holy war in Iraq now," Berthelsen quotes Krekar as saying. "Imams in the entire Muslim world are saying that Muslims have a right to fight against the American occupation."
He went on to say that Norwegians and Norwegian organizations in Iraq are no exception.
"Not just the officers, but also the civilians who help Americans," Krekar said. "If anyone so much as gets a glass of water for them, they can be killed."
Berthelsen asked whether Krekar thinks that includes the aid organizations.
"Everyone becomes a target," he replied. "If an aid organization gives the Americans as much as a glass of water, they'll be a target."
At that point in the interview, Krekar's brother, who was present, interjected and Krekar then softened his tone. "Holy war doesn't apply to aid organizations or civilians," he said. "But everyone who supports the Americans in Iraq will be legitimate targets."
Berthelsen, who works as foreign editor for TV2/Nettavisen in Oslo, said he interpreted Krekar's comments as a clear threat against all foreigners in Iraq, including Norwegians. "The fact that he softened his comments at the encouragement of his brother, doesn't make me take the threat any less seriously," he said.
Krekar, meanwhile, denies he's a threat to the national security in Norway. "I only know five streets in Oslo," he said. "How can I be a threat?" Krekar has repeatedly denied involvement in terrorist activity.
Aftenposten English Web Desk Nina Berglund
BTW. I think the prosecution made no use of the ID picture found on the Al Qaeda computers in Afghanistan, so I guess that didn't pan out conclusively.
Cheers.
Since he's such the tough guy talking about children waging holy war, here's his big chance to set the example.
Can you offer some insight as to why your countrymen put up with this nonsense? Is it simply hatred for Americans?
He obviously thinks the statements he is making will HELP him to stay in Norway!
"He claimed that when he talks about poison, he didn't mean any dangerous materials, he was merely discussing the eighties rock band.."
Lol. Is that for real?? You'd think he'd have worked on his stories a bit more.
As for using children, they've always been "disposable" to fanatics, muslim extremists & terrorists.
We're not hearing anything about the trial, so thanks for the update.
"Can you offer some insight as to why your countrymen put up with this nonsense?"
We put up with "nonsense" all the time.
Look at the ridiculous Colin Ferguson trial (the LIRR shooter).
And look at the trial of Sami Al-Arian going on in Florida.
There are lots more.
I am doing a two in one for the both of you. Sorry, I am in a bit of a hurry.
I can tell you that pretty much every single Norwegian (well at least above 90 percent according to polls) is utterly outraged by the whole thing.
Krekar claims to never leave his apartment due to threats that he has received from enraged Norwegian folks.
So why don't we storm the court room and lynch him. Well, I guess we still believe in a nation of laws.
But, sadly the faith in the legal system has been declining, and if Krekar does not get sent to the new Iraqi government that will be another blow to the credibility of the courts.
His thinks his statements will help him? He might think so. I think he is wrong. I watched an interview with his lawyer who seemed a bit distressed by Krekar's statements, and this guy is as slick as John Edwards. To see him grasp his face in despair is not a usual sight.
I think Krekar's lawyer and the Mullah himself, were caught by surprise that the prosecution had hours and hours of recorded Krekar speeches which he has done on paltak (paltalk seems quite popular with the extremists. I think both Omar Bakri Mohammed and abu Hamza also has been known to use it), where he has made all sorts of outrageous statements. It has not been revealed who obtained this recordings. My guess is that it is good work done by someone in the Norwegian Kurdish community. They do not think to highly of Krekar.
And nuconvert: Poison.... That was a bit of translator's creativity. Krekar claimed an exactly similar thing with two Norwegian words which are the same. gift (poison) and gift (being married). As an aside, I have never thought about that the word for poison and being married was the same in Norway. Some of the misogynist freepers would approve ;-P
Anyhow, Krekar claimed that people assumed he was talking about poison when all he was discussing was the blessings of marriage :-)
Have a great weekend, lads,
Euro.
That is news to me. I thought it was almost the opposite.
Well... That's the great thing about this site. You learn something new every day :-)
Cheers.
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