Norway starts first trial under anti-jihadist law

From the Norwegian edition of The Local

The first prosecution in Norway of returned jihadists accused of fighting for the banned terror group Isis begins on Tuesday at Oslo City Court, with the defence set to argue that the crimes were committed before a new anti-jihadist law came into force.

The three Norwegians are being tried under Penal Code section 147 d, a new law making it illegal to “form, participate in, recruit members, or provide financial or other material support to a terrorist organization,” on penalty of up to six years in prison. 

Two of the accused are the brothers of the Norwegian Albanian Islamist Egzon Avdyli, who was killed last year fighting in Syria. The third is a 30-year-old Norwegian Somali man. All three are connected to the extremist Islamic Profetens Ummah group in eastern Norway.  

The Somali and the 28-year-old brother are accused of fighting for Isis in Syria, while the 25-year-old brother is accused of assisting a terrorist organization by driving out equipment to his brothers, and also possession of illegal firearms. All three deny guilt.