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OSLO,
(AFP) - Norwegian authorities Monday confirmed an
order to expel the self-styled radical Islamic
leader known as Mullah Krekar.
The United States says Krekar, an Iraqi Kurd, is the
founder of Ansar al-Islam, a group allegedly linked
to Al-Qaeda that has conducted terrorist attacks in
Iraq.
Krekar, whose real name is believed to be Fateh
Najmeddin Faraj, has lived in Norway as a refugee
since 1991.
Washington suspects Krekar of involvement in the
August 2003 suicide bombing of the UN mission in
Baghdad, and his name has also surfaced in the
investigation into the March 11 train bombings in
Madrid which killed 191 people and injured 1,900.
One of the main suspects in the bombings reportedly
met Krekar on several occasions.
Norway said last year it was revoking Krekar's
refugee status because he had several times returned
to Iraq.
Police earlier investigated Krekar for his possible
involvement in the murders of Kurdish-Iraqi
political rivals and the financing of terrorist
activities, but the investigation was closed last
June for lack of proof.
The Norwegian migrations department said the
government "believes that he represents a threat to
national security and has broken the conditions of
his residence permit by returning several times to
his country of origin."
In 2002, Krekar was held in custody in the
Netherlands for several months and then in Norway on
various charges. He has repeatedly pleaded innocent
to all accusations.
Krekar's lawyer said he would continue to appeal
against his expulsion.
AFP
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