Norwegian-Iranian with assault plans in Denmark
A Norwegian citizen has been arrested in Sweden, suspected of having planned an assault against exile Iranians in Denmark. The man denies guilt.
The Norwegian citizen was arrested by the Swedish security police Säpo in Göteborg on October 21st. He has an Iranian background. He has been detained in Denmark until November 8th.
Police Security Service (PST) states that they have assisted the Danish Police Intelligence Service (PET) in the process of uncovering the assault plans in Denmark.
– The detainment is a result of intensive cooperation between security services in Norway, Denmark and Sweden, Head of PET, Finn Bork Andersen informs at a press conference on Tuesday.
According to Borch Andersen, the man can be linked to Iranian intelligence services.
– In short, it’s a matter of Iranian intelligence, which, in our view, is planning an assault in Denmark, he states.
Warns of repercussions
Denmark’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anders Samuelsen calls it «totally unacceptable » that according to PET, Iran has planned an assault on Danish soil. It will have repercussions, he warns.
– The Government will respond to Iran, and we will talk to European partners about further action, Samuelsen says.
According to Borch Andersen, the danger of the assault plan being executed is still present, even though the Norwegian 46-years-old is imprisoned.
– It does not mean that the threat is over, he says.
Exile Iranians are the target
According to PET, the target of the alleged assault is three Iranians living in Ringsted, Denmark.
The three Iranians belong to the Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahwaz (ASMLA), who fights for independence in an area in Iran.
– There will still be a need for comprehensive security measures around the Iranians, which allegedly is the target of the arrested man’s assault plans, Borch Andersen elaborates.
– The threat to the affected persons is serious, one of them is very serious, he says.
Investigated as well
According to the PET boss, the three ASMLA members are in the Danish Police’s sights as well.
ASMLA in September hailed the attack on a military parade in the Iranian city of Ahvaz, where 25 persons were killed, and the three are now being investigated for endorsing terrorism, Borch Andersen informs.
Active in Norway
PST chief Benedicte Bjørnland states that Iranian intelligence, like several other countries’ intelligence services, is also operational in Norway.
– They are active in Norway to map groups considered to be active critics or opponents of their own country’s regime, Bjørnland says to VG via her press contact, Martin Bernsen in PST.
© NTB scanpix / #Norway Today
