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Krekar 'jihadist network' targeted in Europe terror raids | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Police have targeted 17 people in raids in several European countries connected to a suspected jihadist network. | |
Six suspects were detained in Italy, four in Britain, and three in Norway. Police believe some of the suspects may have travelled to Syria or Iraq. | Six suspects were detained in Italy, four in Britain, and three in Norway. Police believe some of the suspects may have travelled to Syria or Iraq. |
Italy's Ansa news agency said the suspects were accused of international terrorism association. | Italy's Ansa news agency said the suspects were accused of international terrorism association. |
The network was allegedly plotting to free its leader, Mullah Krekar, who is already in detention in Norway. | |
Krekar, born Najm Faraj Ahmad, is one of those held in the operation. | |
Two other suspects were arrested in Norway. The three of them are suspected of plotting attacks in Norway and other European countries, according to Italian police. | |
They face extradition to Italy. | They face extradition to Italy. |
Charlie Hebdo | |
Krekar, the Iraqi-Kurdish founder of the radical Islamic group, Ansar al-Islam, has served several jail sentences in recent years, including for praising the killing of staff at the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in January. | |
The anti-terrorism operation included investigations in the UK, Norway, Finland, Germany and Switzerland, Italian police said. | |
Arrest warrants were issued for 17 people and 13 were arrested. | |
They are suspected of involvement in a group called Rawti Shax, described as a "terrorist organisation of Kurdish-Sunni origin". | |
Some suspects could not be located, as they are believed to have travelled to Syria and Iraq to join jihadist organisations. | |
Krekar came to Norway as a refugee in 1991. | |
He was jailed in 2012 for making death threats against officials and others. | |
He was arrested again in February 2015 after praising the Charlie Hebdo attack during a television interview. | |
The Norwegian authorities have been trying to deport him since 2003 after deeming him a threat to national security. | |
However, under Norwegian law, he cannot be deported to Iraq because he could face the death penalty. |