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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Hussain avoids more time in jail

A Norwegian court ruled on Friday that a radical Islamist born and reared in Norway was guilty of making threats against journalists, a researcher, an author and the local Jewish community. He won’t have to serve any more jail time, though, despite a request from prosecutors that he be locked up for at least another five months.

Arslan Maroof Hussain, also known as Ubaydullah Hussain, was convicted and sentenced to 120 days in prison, with 60 of them suspended. That left only 60 days of actual jail time, and since he’ll get credit for time also spent in custody after his arrest in 2012, he can avoid further imprisonment.

He also was sentenced to two years of probation. Hussain’s defense attorney, John Christian Elden, was pleased with the sentence because it acquitted Hussain of charges that he believed were tied to his own religious freedom and freedom of expression.

The judge said that he didn’t believe Hussain’s claim that some of the  alleged threats weren’t meant as actual threats. Hussain was convicted on four of the five counts against him, but acquitted on charges of making hateful remarks against homosexuals.

Hussain may wind up back in court soon, though. Norway’s police intelligence unit PST (Politiets sikkerhetstjeneste, PST) is investigating other hateful remarks he allegedly made on Facebook and allegations that he has encouraged terrorist acts.

newsinenglish.no staff

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