Krekar first came to Norway from northern Iraq in the early 1990s, and won asylum. He later was found, however, to have traveled back and forth to northern Iraq and also to have led guerrilla group Ansar al-Islam, which has been linked to terrorist group al-Qaida.
Immigration officials at state agency UDI (Utlendingsdirektoratet) decided as early as 2003 that Mullah Krekar should be stripped of his refugee status, his travel documents and both his working and residence permission in Norway.
UDI determined at the time that Krekar was a threat to the nation's security and had repeatedly given incorrect information to immigration officials.
Krekar appealed the UDI decision and was allowed to stay in Norway while his case was reconsidered. He later was jailed twice, charged with terrorist activities, but was released for lack of evidence.
Now UDI has come to the same conclusion that it did two years ago, largely citing the incorrect information Krekar has given immigration officials and the security of the nation against alleged terror suspects.
Krekar's longtime defense attorney, Brynjar Meling, blasted the conclusion and vowed to challenge it in court. He claimed it's not possible "to send people back to Iraq now," calling the looming deportation "wishful thinking" on the part of government officials.
