Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09OSLO403
2009-06-22 06:57:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Oslo
Cable title:
BHATTI RELEASED FROM PRISON
how-toVZCZCXRO5422 OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR DE RUEHNY #0403 1730657 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 220657Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY OSLO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7586 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHMFISS/FBI WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000403
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR DS, P, M, CA, S/CT, INR, DS/IP/EUR, DS/IP/ITA,
EUR/NB COPENHAGEN, STOCKHOLM INFO FOR RSO AND LEGATT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/18/2019
TAGS: ASEC KCRM PREL PTER NO
SUBJECT: BHATTI RELEASED FROM PRISON
REF: OSLO 396
Classified By: Kevin Johnson, Reason 1.4(b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000403
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR DS, P, M, CA, S/CT, INR, DS/IP/EUR, DS/IP/ITA,
EUR/NB COPENHAGEN, STOCKHOLM INFO FOR RSO AND LEGATT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/18/2019
TAGS: ASEC KCRM PREL PTER NO
SUBJECT: BHATTI RELEASED FROM PRISON
REF: OSLO 396
Classified By: Kevin Johnson, Reason 1.4(b) and (d)
1. (SBU) Summary. Norway's Appeals Court ruled June 19 to
release Arfan Bhatti, ringleader of an alleged plot to attack
the US Embassy in Oslo, pending his re-trial in August, 2009.
Bhatti had been convicted of vandalism and attempted murder
in February 2009 but Norway's Supreme Court June 12
overruled the attempted murder conviction. Bhatti is
expected to leave custody today. An Embassy EAC reviewed the
situation and determined our current security posture is
adequate. End Summary.
2. (C) Norwegian MFA Legal Advisor Martin Sorby told
POLCOUNS June 19 that the Supreme Court decided on the
attempted murder charge that the requirement of intent was
not correctly decided by the Appeals Court, and the case has
been remanded on this charge alone to the Appeals Court for
retrial. The Supreme Court also heard an appeal on the basis
of the European Court of Human Rights requirements regarding
juries, however contrary to press and embassy earlier
reporting, the Supreme Court ruled that the February 2009
jury trial met EU requirements.
3. (C) In light of the release, Embassy Oslo held an EAC
meeting but given the PST plans to monitor Bhatti, we
determined that no change to our current security posture is
needed. The guards, surveillance detection unit, and marines
have been briefed on the situation.
4. (C) Comment: This case raises serious concerns about the
content and application of Norway's anti-terror legislation.
While Bhatti was not/not convicted of a terrorism offense,
many see his long (and conditional) sentence for attempted
murder as recognition that he is more than a petty criminal.
This case goes to the heart of GON anti-terrorism policy and
is obviously an important security matter. End Comment.
WHITNEY
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR DS, P, M, CA, S/CT, INR, DS/IP/EUR, DS/IP/ITA,
EUR/NB COPENHAGEN, STOCKHOLM INFO FOR RSO AND LEGATT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/18/2019
TAGS: ASEC KCRM PREL PTER NO
SUBJECT: BHATTI RELEASED FROM PRISON
REF: OSLO 396
Classified By: Kevin Johnson, Reason 1.4(b) and (d)
1. (SBU) Summary. Norway's Appeals Court ruled June 19 to
release Arfan Bhatti, ringleader of an alleged plot to attack
the US Embassy in Oslo, pending his re-trial in August, 2009.
Bhatti had been convicted of vandalism and attempted murder
in February 2009 but Norway's Supreme Court June 12
overruled the attempted murder conviction. Bhatti is
expected to leave custody today. An Embassy EAC reviewed the
situation and determined our current security posture is
adequate. End Summary.
2. (C) Norwegian MFA Legal Advisor Martin Sorby told
POLCOUNS June 19 that the Supreme Court decided on the
attempted murder charge that the requirement of intent was
not correctly decided by the Appeals Court, and the case has
been remanded on this charge alone to the Appeals Court for
retrial. The Supreme Court also heard an appeal on the basis
of the European Court of Human Rights requirements regarding
juries, however contrary to press and embassy earlier
reporting, the Supreme Court ruled that the February 2009
jury trial met EU requirements.
3. (C) In light of the release, Embassy Oslo held an EAC
meeting but given the PST plans to monitor Bhatti, we
determined that no change to our current security posture is
needed. The guards, surveillance detection unit, and marines
have been briefed on the situation.
4. (C) Comment: This case raises serious concerns about the
content and application of Norway's anti-terror legislation.
While Bhatti was not/not convicted of a terrorism offense,
many see his long (and conditional) sentence for attempted
murder as recognition that he is more than a petty criminal.
This case goes to the heart of GON anti-terrorism policy and
is obviously an important security matter. End Comment.
WHITNEY