One of those arrested last week is believed to be connected to an al-Qaida group that tried to establish itself in Norway in 1995, reported Norwegian newspaper VG on Monday.
VG reported that Spanish investigators think Jamal Zougam, age 30, has ties to Imad Barakat Yarkas, alias Abu Dahdah, thought to have taken part in the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington in 2001.
The group allegedly sought help from Mullah Krekar's brother, Khalid Faraj Ahmad, to obtain visas to Norway.
Brynjar Meling, defense attorney for Krekar, downplayed the alleged links, saying both Krekar and his brother have been open about their various connections in past years.
"They operated a Kurdish newspaper, and received many requests for help, among them how to get people to Norway," Meling told VG.
He later told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) Monday that Krekar and his brother responded "by giving them information about the proper authorities to contact in Norway."
Honoring the victims
In Oslo, meanwhile, Crown Prince Haakon joined a short ceremony outside the Nobel Institute, to honor victims of the bombings in Madrid.
Spain's ambassador to Norway, Eduardo Garrigues, led the ceremony which included the three minutes of silence at noon that was observed all over Europe on Monday.
Around 100 persons were on hand for the memorial, which also included the Irish ambassador.
