On 23 September, Arfan Bhatti was internationally wanted. At the time, the police only said that the Islamist was charged with “participation in terrorism”. Police prosecutor Børge Enoksen confirms that Bhatti has been charged with five matters after the terror attack in Oslo. Photo: Thomas Hagajore Fosse / news Now news can say that Bhatti has been charged with complicity in serious terrorism. This is a serious charge, with a maximum penalty of 30 years. The 30-year penalty for serious terrorism was adopted by the Storting in 2009, but came into force later. In addition, Bhatti is charged with four other matters: Complicity in murder, complicity in attempted murder, terrorist conspiracy and conspiracy to murder. This is what police prosecutor Børge Enoksen in the Oslo police district tells news. This is Bhatti charged with Complicity in serious acts of terrorism, section 132 of the Criminal Code. Penalty limit 30 years. Complicity in murder, section 275 of the Criminal Code. Penalty range 8 to 21 years. Complicity in attempted murder, section 275. Terrorist association, section 133, first paragraph. Penalty limit 10 years. Murder association, section 279 of the Criminal Code. Penalty limit 10 years. Explains the charges with principle Police attorney Enoksen explains the extensive charge with the so-called specialty principle. The principle ensures that persons are not extradited for one relationship, and prosecuted for a completely different one. – When we requested his extradition, we had to make sure that the possibilities we envisioned that could become relevant in a criminal prosecution of him were covered by the charge, says Enoksen to news. The police have thus “secured” themselves and included all possible penalties they believe may be relevant in a possible prosecution. – In that way, the court will possibly be free to assess whether this act of terrorism is serious or not, explains Enoksen. Lawyer Svein Holden is Bhatti’s defender. Lawyer Svein Holden has previously said that Bhatti denies having anything to do with the shooting in Oslo. Photo: Tore Meek / NTB scanpix Holden did not have the opportunity to comment on the case on Saturday, but has previously told news that Bhatti denies having anything to do with the shooting. Part of the basis for charges is the media file Arfan Bhatti was not in the country when the shooting happened. According to the police, there are digital traces pointing in his direction. news knows that a media file Bhatti is said to have sent is central to the case. According to VG, terror suspect Zaniar Matapour swore allegiance to IS in this media file. Shortly after the shooting, Bhatti is said to have uploaded and sent the oath to a person he thought was an IS leader. In reality, the person was an agent on assignment from the E-service. Police attorney Enoksen tells news that this is part of the basis for the charge against the Islamist. – It has emerged that Bhatti is said to have sent an audio message by Matapour to someone he thought was an IS leader. What can you say about it today? – Part of the information that has come to light in the media forms part of the basis for him being charged in the case, replies the police attorney. The only one charged with serious terrorism Two other men are also charged with complicity in an act of terrorism, but not with serious terrorism. – Does that mean that the police believe Bhatti has a more central role than the others? – We cannot at this stage go in and distinguish between the accused. It is a result of the specialty principle that there are more bids in the charge against Bhatti than the others, Enoksen replies. Two people were killed in the terrorist attack. 262 people have the status of offended. Internationally wanted, Bhatti has been in Pakistan since June 8 last year. Just under a week later, he posted a photo of a burning rainbow flag on his Facebook profile. Bhatti also posted religious texts calling for the killing of homosexuals. The authorities hoped for a long time that the Islamist would return to Norway after the summer holidays. The Norwegian police also tried to get the Pakistani authorities to arrest him. In the end, the police chose to call for him internationally. On September 26, Bhatti was taken by Pakistani authorities. news has previously spoken to the Islamist’s family in Pakistan, who say that Bhatti disappeared without a trace on the date in question.
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Arfan Bhatti charged with complicity in serious terrorism – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
