Country Reports on Terrorism 2012

Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: The government is currently in the
process of crafting legislation to strengthen its counterterrorism laws. Following a lengthy public
discussion period, the Ministry of Justice is writing new legislation that will be presented to
Parliament for approval in 2013. The law is expected to include provisions to close the “lone
wolf” loophole (which requires proof of a large conspiracy for a terrorist conviction) and to
criminalize the receipt of terrorist training.
Norway is a party to EU border control data sharing arrangements. Norwegian immigration
authorities obtained biometric equipment for the fingerprinting of arrivals from outside the
Schengen area, though they have not yet implemented this program. Immigration to Norway is
facilitated and regulated by the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI), which processes
all applications for asylum, visas, family immigration, work and study permits, citizenship,
permanent residence, and travel documents. In 2012, UDI took steps to improve border control
with the introduction of a new Norwegian permanent residency permit card. Introduced as a part
of the Schengen Agreement, the new card is tied to fingerprint and facial biometrics, has
numerous security features, is required to be renewed regularly, and the bearer is charged
approximately US $50 for replacing a lost or stolen card.
Anders Behring Breivik was found guilty of murder and assault as a result of his 2011 attacks in
Oslo and on the island of Utoya. The trial began in April 2012 and concluded in August. The
court found him competent to stand trial, sane at the time of the acts, and gave him the maximum
possible sentence of 21 years. This sentence can be reviewed by a court and extended by up to
five years at a time, as many times as the government seeks court review and applies for
extension.
An Iraqi citizen, Mullah Krekar (aka Najmuddin Faraj Ahmad), the founder of Ansar al-Islam,
continued to reside in Norway on a long-term residence permit. In March, a trial court convicted
Krekar of issuing threats and inciting terrorism, and sentenced him to six years in prison. Krekar
appealed, and in December an appeals court affirmed his convictions for issuing threats and
intimidating witnesses, but reversed his conviction for "inciting terrorism." The appeals court
reduced his sentence to two years and 10 months in prison.
On September 20, a court of appeals upheld terrorist charges against Mikael Davud and Shawan
Bujak. They and a third Norwegian long-term resident, David Jakobsen, were charged with
plotting an attack on a Danish newspaper that published cartoons depicting the Prophet
Muhammed. The court of appeals increased Davud’s sentence from six to seven years, and
reduced Bujak’s from four years to three-and-a-half years. The appeals court overturned
Jacobsen’s conviction on terrorist charges but confirmed his conviction for purchasing bomb
ingredients. Davud and Bujak have indicated that they will appeal to the Supreme Court; that
hearing date was pending at year’s end. These were the first terrorism convictions in Norway’s
courts.
Countering Terrorist Finance: Norway is a member of the Financial Action Task Force
(FATF) and held the FATF presidency in 2012. The Government of Norway adopted and
incorporated FATF standards and recommendations, including the special recommendations on
terrorist financing, into Norwegian law. For further information on money laundering and
financial crimes, we refer you to the 2013 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report
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