According to the Bulgarian prosecuting authority, the Norwegian who was arrested in Bulgaria this week for participating in a terrorist organization is also suspected of having prepared a terrorist attack, as well as inciting terrorism.
Less than 20 minutes ago
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In a coordinated operation, Norwegian and Bulgarian police raided two addresses in the two countries on Tuesday morning. When the action was over, two people, who according to VG’s information are brothers, were arrested. Both Norwegian citizens.
– It concerns the person who has been arrested in Oslo on charges of participating in a terrorist organization. It is about supporting al-Qaedamainly built on online forums, police lawyer Thomas Blom at PST stated at a press conference the next day.
PST explained that the man arrested in Bulgaria was also charged with the same thing, but that he was also charged with several offenses. Which Blom did not want to say anything about.
Now the Bulgarian prosecuting authority gives some more details to VG.
In the coordinated operation, an adult citizen of the Kingdom of Norway was arrested. He is being investigated by the Norwegian authorities for membership in a terrorist organization, preparations for a terrorist attack and incitement to terrorism, writes Valentina Madzharova, at the special prosecutor’s office in Bulgaria in an e-mail.
PST still does not want to say anything more about the charge until the man has been extradited to Norway. They think this can happen as early as next week.
– We will get back to more about the charge then. We are now conducting an investigation and interrogation and will therefore not say anything more yet, says senior adviser and press contact in PST, Martin Bernsen.
– Posted calls for terrorist activities
Madzharova tells in his e-mail to VG that the Norwegian’s home was searched for evidence, and that relevant seizures were made.
– It has been found that the arrested person both before and after he came to Bulgaria has posted incitement to terrorist activities in and outside Europe on a number of websites and social media. He has also had contact online with other radicalized individuals, she writes.
The Bulgarian prosecuting authority points out that the accused’s activities do not include preparations or plans to carry out terrorist acts in Bulgaria. Nor the establishment of a terrorist group in the country.
The details of both the preparations for a possible terrorist attack and who he should have incited to terrorism, and where, the prosecution authorities in Bulgaria do not comment on.
PST told VG on Wednesday that it was important for them to put an end to “the activity that was increasing”.
– There was a high risk that someone would do something, said Thomas Blom.
Must be brothers
PST has stated that the two accused are related. According to VG’s information, they are brothers, who are said to have been radicalized through internet activity in the boys’ room.
According to VG’s information, the two accused are mentioned in a previous verdict against another person. They are referred to as supporters of the terrorist organization IS, but PST has thus explained that it is al-Qaeda they should now have shown their support for.
Al-Qaeda is an international terrorist network founded by Osama bin Laden, and was behind the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001.
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