Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., April 02, 2008 Adar2 27, 5768 | | Israel Time: 14:57 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 16:30 31/03/2008 Norway tries suspects in 2006 shooting at main Oslo synagogue By The Associated Press Tags: terrorism, Norway, Israel  The first trial under Norway's strengthened anti-terrorism laws opened Monday, with three men facing charges related to a shooting at an Oslo synagogue or plotting attacks on the capital's U.S. or Israeli embassies in 2006. All three men deny the charges, and their defense attorneys have described the evidence against them as week. Afan Bhatti, 30, and a second man were indicted on suspicion of either firing 13 shots at the main synagogue during the night of Sept. 17, 2006, or being an accomplice. No one was injured in the attack. Advertisement Bhatti and a third suspect are also being tried on charges of plotting an attack on the U.S. or Israeli embassy in Oslo the same year. "Absolutely not guilty," said Bhatti, who has been held in jail since September 2006 on those charges. The prosecution has depicted Bhatti as the key suspect in both cases. The trial in Oslo city court is expected to last about 40 days, with some 80 witnesses, and is the first one since Norway strengthened its anti-terror laws because of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks in the United States. "There is nothing in evidence offered in this case ... that puts him in connection with any group, person, place or organization outside this kingdom that one could generally call terrorists of terror groups," Bhatti's defense attorney, John Christian Elden, said in court. Prosecutor Andreas Christiansen said evidence he will present includes drawings and plans for rocket launchers, which were found in mid-2006 and led the Norwegian police intelligence service to keep Bhatti under close surveillance. Christiansen gave no other details at the trial's opening. In addition to the terror-related charges, Bhatti also is on trial in other cases, including the firing of 17 shots at the home of a failed Norwegian businessman in 2006. In that case, Bhatti pleaded guilty to threatening another person and illegal possession of firearms. Andreas Bog Kristiansen, 28, was indicted with Bhatti on charges of plotting to use explosives or weapons to attack the U.S. or Israeli embassies, and conspiring to commit armed robbery. Ibrahim Oezbabacan, 30, was indicted, with Bhatti, for either firing or being an accomplice to 13 shots being fired at the Oslo synagogue. The charges of plotting embassy attacks - which never took place - was partly based on a police recording of Bhatti and Kristiansen talking about ways to attack the embassies. Earlier, defense attorneys said those charges were based on 'empty talk' and that the two had taken no action to plot or carry out an attack Bookmark to del.icio.us   WHO knows? The WHO says Israel lets Gazans die in 'avoidable tragedies'. Friendly faces Google, Facebook and Yahoo heads will attend a J'lem technology summit.   1.   Vikings are changing traditional names 16:42  |  d 31/03/08   2.   Why are Scandinavians so hospitable to terrorists? 17:38  |  ClickDick 31/03/08   3.   ...this is not all. 19:05  |  Pande 31/03/08   4.   norway overrun by the muslim cancer in europe 19:05  |  hal tripp 31/03/08   5.   #4 Hal Tripp; Its not only in Europe-In Peaceful Canada 19:53  |  Max Zinger,P.Chimist 31/03/08   6.   hey mister zinger, i`m from montreal originally 21:15  |  hal tripp 31/03/08   7.   #6 Hal, Nice to hear from a canuack expatrate. 21:54  |  Max Zinger,P.Chimist 31/03/08   8.   to hal tripp # 4 22:12  |  dovale 31/03/08   9.   throw away the key 22:20  |  don 31/03/08   10.   Norway tries suspects in 2006 shooting at main Oslo synagogue 22:34  |  J waxman 31/03/08   11.   Europe swarming with Muslims 23:54  |  Christian 31/03/08   12.   Norway - Greatest country for Muslims 02:49  |  Walid 01/04/08   13.   # 4 hal tripp 14:51  |  Axel 02/04/08

Today Online Bradley Burston: The jihad against the Jews Responses: 56 Meshal: Hamas backs state along '67 lines, right of return Responses: 116 Dutch Jews louder than Muslims in slamming 'Fitna' film Responses: 87 BBC poll: Iran only country seen as more negative than Israel Responses: 129 Rosner's Domain Clinton and Obama voters support Israel in similar numbers Guest: Rabbis who don't officiate intermarriage should refer to rabbis who do Poll: What percentage of Jews will vote McCain? 38% for pressuring Palestinians, 25% for pressuring Israel (WTR) More Headlines 11:55 Meshal: Hamas backs Palestinian state in '67 borders 11:59 BBC poll: Iran only country viewed more negatively than Israel 13:46 Syria said calling up reserve soldiers, fearing Israeli attack 13:43 Cabinet approves large-scale emergency army drill next week 12:24 Dutch Jews louder than Muslims in condemning 'Fitna' film 14:07 Security forces clear two West Bank outposts, plan for more 14:56 New anti-drug campaign equates smoking pot with terrorism 03:38 Dream team: Which President-Prime Minister combo works best? 12:11 Bush urges NATO allies to send more troops to Afghanistan 11:16 Intelligence officers: Hezbollah may strike Israel via third party 12:25 U.S. Congress recognizes Jewish refugees from Arab countries for first time 10:22 Sensing affront, Arabs seek to close Security Council doors 04:43 Organic farming hits billion-shekel mark 10:20 Amid Israeli siege, Palestinian businesses look east to China 07:34 Needy Holocaust survivors to receive one-time government grant of NIS 6,000 Previous Editions Select Day 01 apr 31 mar 30 mar 28 mar 27 mar 26 mar 25 mar 24 mar 23 mar 21 mar 20 mar 19 mar

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