An appeals court in Oslo acquitted Islamic cleric Mullah Krekar on Thursday of encouraging terrorism but upheld his conviction for making what the court called serious threats. He was sentenced to two years and 10 months in prison.
That’s much less than the five-year prison term he received earlier this year from the Oslo City Court, and prosecutors had asked for seven years. He was also ordered to pay NOK 130,000 to persons whom he threatened, including top national politician Erna Solberg, head of Norway’s Conservative Party. She declined comment on the court award.
Krekar’s defense attorney Brynjar Meling told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) it was “a great and important day” when the court “portrayed the correct legal evaluation” of declaring that Krekar can’t be convicted of terrorism.
It remained unclear whether Krekar would appeal the conviction for making threats. He continues to be held in custody, most recently at a prison in Kongsvinger.
newsinenglish.no staff
