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September 20, 2006
Norway: Muslim Arrested For Synagogue Shooting
Oslo's largest synagogue (pictured), situated at Bergstien in the capital's St Hanshaugen district, was recently subjected to a volley of gunfire, which left bullet holes in the wall above its doorway. The incident took place this Monday, September 18. The rabbi at the synagogue, Joav Melchior, had only been in his position since August when the attack happened. About ten shots were fired, probably from an automatic weapon.
Today, Afternposten reported that a man of Pakistani origin was arrested yesterday in connection with the incident. Three individuals, all of different ethnic background, were also arrested, but the 29-year old Pakistani has a history of being arrested.
In Germany in summer he was arrested on suspicion of plotting a terrorist attack on the World Cup, but was released shortly after. He had been arrested last week and charged with making threats against a journalist, Nina Johnsrud. The journalist writes on crime issues for the newspaper Dagsavisen. He is also suspected of having fired shots at her house in the summer. After being charged last week, he was released within 24 hours.
He is also linked with the notorious "A-Gang". There are two rival gangs in Oslo, the A and B, and last month these were involved in a shootout at Aker Brygge wharf, where two people were shot and injured.
The Pakistani and the three others were arrested between 5 and 6 pm yesterday at various Oslo locations, and their charges include: vandalism, violation of the Weapons Act and reckless handling of a firearm.
The synagogue which the man is alleged to have attacked with gunfire has been the scene of various troubles.
On Saturday, July 29, a man was caught on surveillance camera defecating on the front step and then smashing two windows. The Mosaic Religious Community (DMT) asked for more security from the authorities following that event.
On September 11 it was revealed that the synagogue had been one of two targets for terrorist attack. The threats had been made in November 2005. The threats came as members of the Islamist group GSPC (Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat) were arrested in Italy. Two of these individuals, Yamine Bouhrama and Khaled Serai, had lived in Norway. Though Norwegian, they were of Algerian descent. They had bought airline tickets to Norway hours before they were arrested in Naples and Brescia.
Anne Sender of the DMT said: "I can confirm that we received information that an attack was planned against the synagogue." The newspaper VG was told that three men, including two Norwegian Muslims would take part in terrorist attacks in Oslo. The synagogue was one, but the other was not specified.
The group GSPC has long been associated with al Qaeda, but their link was officially confirmed by Ayman al-Zawahiri, the deputy leader of al Qaeda, on September 11.
Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at September 20, 2006 7:46 PM
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