Norway 2025
07/01/2025: As more inforation and data are collected throughout investigations, the Oslo Police has declared that they would charge Arfan Bhatti with complicity in aggravated terrorism in their recommendation submitted to the Public Prosecution in Oslo. Bhatti was extradited from Pakistan to Norway in May 2024 over suspicions of involvement in the 2022 Oslo shootings. He is currently detained with two other suspects, yet he denies any role played in the attack and has reportedly exercised his right not to give a statement about the circumstances of the charges. Should the Court ever aprove the charges against him in his upcoming trial, he would be faced with a maximum penalty of thirty years. (Source)
23/01/2025: The two Norwegian-Somali sisters from Bærum who departed to Syria in 2013 when they were 16 and 19 year-old and returned to Norway in March 2023, were sentenced by the Oslo District Court to four years in prison for the eldest and two years in prison, one year of which is suspended, for the youngest. Their trial began on October 16, 2024 and they were charged with marrying foreign warriors and having tried to get other Norwegian women to join IS. The eldest sister is said to have attended Sharia courses and "handled incidents and reactions" against women who were seen as enemies of IS whereas the youngest sister is said to have been preparing to start a military training camp for IS women. It was also pointed out during the trial that the eldest sister even ran a lucrative cryptocurrency banking system from the al-Hol camp where she was detained. Both women denied any wrongdoings and claimed that they went to Syria in 2013 to assist local population but they were later coerced into joining IS to survive. Both sisters have unexpectedly decided to appeal the verdict on February 6, 2025. (Source)
24/01/2025: Oslo State Attorney, Sturla Henriksbø, stated that the new authorities in Damascus are not helping in the repatriation of terrorism suspect Aisha Kausar who was charged with complicity in the 2022 Oslo shootings in November 2023. The downfall of Bashar al-Assad on December 8, 2024 paved the way for Hayat Tahrir al-Shams (HTS), an Islamist group once based in Idlib which formed a new Government. The new leaders of Syria do not tolerate the control of Kurdish groups over the Syrian Northern regions where al-Hol and al-Roj camps are located. Relocation operations have started yet it does not seem that they are stricly monitored and implemented with the contribution of Damascus. Aisha Kausar denies any criminal responsibility yet she does not wish to return to Norway. (Source)
30/01/2025: Zaniar Matapour has withdrawn his appeal to the March 2024 verdict. Consequently, his historic sentence of thirty years in prison remains valid. Even though Matapour was already judged and punished for the 2022 Oslo shootings as the main culprit, the trial is still ongoing as four other suspects are under investigation and charged with aggravated terrorism namely, Arfan Bhatti, Aisha Kaushar and a 37-year-old and a 47-year-old men who were sworn to IS. Arfan Bhatti was extradited from Pakistan, where he was hiding, to Norway on May 3, 2024. Aisha Kausar remains detained in Syria and rejected every offer to return to Norway. Both deny any wrongdoings. (Source)
05/02/2025: PST has published the updated version of their yearly terrorism threat assessment for 2025. The report clearly states that Islamism is considered by Norwegian authorities to be a greater threat than the Far-Right. Specific concerns were shared by authorities regarding the growing radicalization of children. The war between Israel and Palestine heavily contributed to this negative trend that is expected to continue. If the main threat still comes from individuals inspired and involved in the networks of IS and Al-Qaeda, new networks of young Islamists are on the rise especially via encrypted platforms where propaganda media are massively shared. According to this assessment, there is "an even chance that Islamist extremism will attempt to carry out terrorist attacks in Norway in 2025" with the LGBT, Jewish and Christian communities pointed out as the most relevant targets.
In 2025, there is a likely threat of extremist Islamist attacks in Norway, primarily from individuals or small groups inspired by the ideologies of IS or Al-Qaeda. These individuals are often involved in online or physical extremist networks. They are motivated by both local and international events, with the war in Gaza and its consequences continuing to be a radicalizing factor. While Norway is not expected to be a primary target, any major event could change this dynamic and influence the terrorist threat. IS and Al-Qaeda remain central threats, as both organizations maintain a global agenda against the West, claiming a war between Islam and the West. These organizations justify attacks based on military intervention in Muslim countries and perceived oppression in the West, seeing all Western citizens as responsible, which legitimizes targeting civilians. The most significant threat to Europe comes from IS's activities in Syria, Iraq, and its Afghan branch (ISKP), but other IS affiliates, such as those in Somalia, also attempt to carry out attacks, including in Sweden. Despite the loss of leaders, IS continues to expand and recruit. Security services have thwarted numerous attacks, though extremist activities continue to increase. Over the last two years, there has been a significant rise in planned attacks, with many being foiled by intelligence services. Most of these attacks take place in Europe and are carried out by individuals sympathetic to extremist ideologies, often with no direct connection to formal terrorist organizations. IS is actively exploiting its presence in Europe, assisting sympathizers in planning attacks.
These individuals are typically in contact with other extremists and will likely use simple weapons, such as knives or vehicles, but the preference is to cause mass casualties with firearms or improvised explosive devices (IEDs). These weapons may be acquired legally or illegally. Technological advancements, such as 3D-printed firearms or drones, could increase the sophistication of future attacks. While minors have been increasingly involved in attack plans, adults will still be the primary perpetrators. Propaganda continues to encourage attacks on civilians, police, military, and individuals or institutions perceived as insulting Islam. Over the past year, extremist propaganda has focused more on targeting Israeli and Jewish individuals, with these groups now becoming top priorities for extremists. (Source)
28/02/2025: PST published the Threat assessment: Public Gatherings and Events in 2025 report that highlights that while the threat posed by extreme Islamism in Norway is currently considered low, it is not entirely absent. The primary concern stems from individuals rather than organized groups, as most Islamist threats in Norway tend to come from lone actors who may be inspired by global jihadist ideologies such as those promoted by Al-Qaeda or IS. These individuals often view certain public gatherings or symbolic targets—such as state institutions, religious minorities, or law enforcement—as legitimate objects of retaliation, especially if they believe Islam has been insulted. One of the main triggers for potential Islamist violence is the desecration of Islamic symbols, particularly the Quran. Acts such as Quran burnings are seen as especially provocative and can incite strong reactions, not only domestically but also internationally. Extremist groups abroad may use such events to spread propaganda that encourages violent responses, potentially radicalizing individuals within Norway.
As a result, public demonstrations perceived as anti-Islamic, especially those involving the Quran or depictions of the Prophet Muhammad, are considered to carry an increased risk of violent retaliation. The report also notes that the recent conflict in Gaza has contributed to a more polarized atmosphere, which could be exploited by Islamist actors as justification for violence. Although demonstrations in Norway related to the conflict have generally remained peaceful, the authorities are aware of the potential for radical narratives to influence or infiltrate these events. To mitigate risks, the PST continues to monitor the situation closely, particularly online radicalization efforts on encrypted platforms, and cooperates with both local police and international partners to prevent attacks inspired by extremist Islamist ideology. (Source)
21/03/2025: The Norwegian Government have submitted a White Paper to the Parliament on the prevention of extremism published by the Norwegian Ministry of Culture and Equality, that presents the national strategy to strengthen the prevention of extremism in Norway. This White Paper builds upon the analyses of the Commission on Extremism, lessons learned from past terrorist attacks, and insights from international cooperation in this field. The report highlights that extremism poses a serious threat to democracy, diversity, and social cohesion. It refers to three major events that have recently marked Norway: the July 2011 attacks on Utøya Island and the Government Quarter in Oslo, the attack on the Al-Noor Islamic Centre in August 2019, and the attack against the LGBT+ community in June 2022. These acts, motivated by Far-Right or Islamist ideologies, have demonstrated the urgent need for a reinforced and structured preventive approach. The Government's strategy aims to make Norwegian society more resilient against extremist threats. It is based on several complementary lines of action. First, national coordination and cross-sectoral cooperation will be improved to anticipate and detect radicalisation processes. A national centre dedicated to combating radicalisation and violent extremism will be established in 2026 to support local efforts, train frontline workers, and disseminate best practices. The Government also plans to facilitate information sharing between public services while safeguarding confidentiality and fundamental rights.
On the social and educational fronts, extremism prevention will be strengthened through enhanced civic education in schools, promotion of Human Rights, and active combat against hate speech, racism, and discrimination. The focus is on social inclusion, by improving access to education, employment, and recreational opportunities for vulnerable youth, thus reducing risk factors for radicalisation. Special attention is given to young men and boys, with new initiatives promoting gender equality and countering harmful gender ideals that can contribute to extremism. The report also addresses challenges posed by the digital era. It announces a forthcoming strategy to strengthen resilience against disinformation, plans for stronger personal data protection for young people on social media, and a reinforced policy to ensure safe digital education from childhood. The Government places strong emphasis on remembrance work and the role of peace and Human Rights centres in combating extremism. It plans to further support interfaith dialogue initiatives, community cooperation projects, and educational programs aimed at countering hatred and intolerance. In addition, the report supports the preservation of physical and narrative traces of terrorist attacks, such as those of 22 July 2011, to serve as educational tools for future generations. Finally, the White Paper stresses that effective prevention of terrorism and extremism requires a comprehensive, multisectoral, and continuous approach. It involves not only public authorities but also civil society, schools, religious communities, the media, and the citizens themselves. The Government affirms that prevention efforts must always be carried out with full respect for Human Rights, freedom of expression, and the Rule of Law.
In conclusion, Norway chooses to respond to the challenges posed by extremism with greater openness, cooperation, and trust in its democratic institutions. Through this strategy, it seeks to strengthen its collective resilience and preserve the foundations of a free, inclusive, and democratic society. (Source)
28/03/2025: PST published the 2025 Threat Assessment for Pride and other LGBT+ Events in Norway that identifies Islamism as a continued, though currently unconfirmed, source of potential terrorist threats. While PST has no specific indications of planned violence, Islamists continue to view LGBT+ identities, their supporters, and related events as part of a broader Western value system they reject. Although LGBT+ topics are rarely central in Islamist propaganda, they are considered legitimate targets because they symbolize values seen as incompatible with the extremists’ ideology. Most Islamist attacks in recent years have instead focused on civilians, police, and military personnel, and recent propaganda has mainly emphasized retaliation for perceived Western support for Israel. Nevertheless, Islamism remains the more serious of the two ideological threats assessed in the report alongside Far-Right terrorism. (Source)
30/03/2025: Norwegian police expressed hopes that Aisha Kausar who is charged with complicity in the 2022 Oslo shootings may ultimately be repatriated to face prosecution. A new agreement in Syria signed on March 10, 2025 between the new Government in Damascus and the group that controls the area the Norwegian woman is in, now makes it possible for Norway to go through the Syrian authorities to have Kausar extradited. The agreement includes that Damascus will take control of border crossings and important institutions in the area. Aisha Kausar still remains in the al-Roj camp with her minor son and has always refused every offer to return to Norway. Process of extradition may now be seriously considered by Norwegian authorities in collaboration with the Syrian Ministry of Justice. (Source)
08/04/2025: State prosecutors Sturla Henriksbø and Aud Kinsarvik Gravås declared at a press conference that charges against the two men suspected to be involved in the 2022 Oslo shootings alongside Arfan Bhatti, Aisha Kausar and Zaniar Matapour, were dropped. One was a 36-year-old Norwegian-Pakistani and the other a Somali man aged 47. However, the Attorney General is indicting Arfan Bhatti for complicity in terrorism and he reportedly is also charged with attempting to enter into an agreement for further terrorist attacks. As for Aisha Kausar who is still in Syria, Norwegian authorities will likely request the Syrian authorities to extradite her. (Source)