Well, surprise, surprise. No wonder Norway is the country of choice for terrorists seeking to escape justice.

Gee, I can't stop laughing either.

Z,
Another great review. If you go over to YouTube and search for the trailer, some guy who goes by "wantedfan24" is saying it's all real and all the negative reviews are just "hate-n'" Sounds to me like NBC is already trying to do damage control.

Keep up the good work!

Hi Darryl, Thanks for the heads-up. I love to watch a big lumbering network that has an embarrassment on its hands try to do damage control rather than admitting it lost its journalistic compass and made a mistake. Thanks. Z

Although the mock drama was over the top, Would the people of Norway feel the same way if Hitler was living amongst them.

Although the mock drama was over the top, Would the people of Norway feel the same way if Hitler was living amongst them.

I thought it was very informative no matter how they did it, or how much criticism "The Wanted" gets..I thought it was excellent! To know that Mullah Krekar outwardly spoke about hating Americans/soldiers etc. and killing those he was aganist. Is enough to send him back for his crimes.

Hi David, why are you letting the show bother you so much? Are you upset about the Goucher College situation? I think "The Wanted" just provides a new entertaining way to inform people of a serious situation. Where's the harm: that we now know about someone who admits to intentionally bringing harm to other human beings without any remorse? I for one am happy to be aware. Side note: your friend Thea, who you decided to quote, misspelled "ridiculous".

Having seen this "reality" show, the melodrama left me quite flabbergasted. The "stakeout" made me laugh the most, "people could get killed" - give me a break. I've walked alone around there countless times, night and day, it's full of students and families and what's not. Worst they could realistically expect was to have their wallets snitched. And the interviews with the fringe right-wing politicians weren't exactly representative either.

The guy [Krekar] is a radical zealot I don't care much for, but the fact he's not extradited to where he risks execution or torture is something we Norwegians should be proud of. It's a matter of principles; the European Declaration of Human Rights prohibits extradition if capital punishment is a possibility and some letter from a bogus "court" won't change it. And that he's not incarcerated without trial here is also a matter of principles, we're not a dictatorship or police state, the government can't lock people up without a fair and open trial and that's how it should be in a democracy.

Fact: The guy is an a**hole. Fact: He still got his human rights and his situation is proof our nation adheres to its principles. Fact: The program really really sucked.

Regards (and grins) from Norway.

I wonder if the Norwegian population would think it so funny if they had their very own 9-11!!!!

I forgot to add; if they were afraid of getting killed while staking out in the shrubberies, they could just have called him instead. His phone number is listed so one should think a squad of elite counterintelligence wizards should have been able to find it...

http://www.nettkatalogen.no/telefonkatalog/heimdalsgata%5F36%5Foslo/1.htm

By the way he lives with his mum, lol.

I haven't seen the program/documentary, but all about mullah Krekar is well known and hotly debated in Norway. The Attorney General tried to prosecute mr Krekar for something (murder, terrorism or something) but the court did not accept the evidence, and it is not even clear what he might be guilty of (for example if he personally committ atrocities or if he was simply an orator). He is a free man for the time being, but he can't leave the country and he is of course watched by the anti-terror police. He haven't committed any crimes in Norway. And yes I met him a couple of times on the street.

If he is an a***hole? Privately I guess not, and it doesn't matter, but his views on the use of violence are despicable.

I glad to see this article, I did a little research on this Roger D. Carsten he seems a little fishy to me. He is supposed to be a retired Lt colonel Hmmm. Must have joined the navy when he was twelve. This show lacks credibility.

First of all, it's important that you understand that we don't find the hole Mullah Krekar situation hilarious. It might seam that way, after reading the American comments. The case is a bit damaging for our reputation I must say, and as I can see this we have painted our selves into a corner with no other option that to suspend his expulsion until Iraqi authorities (not Kurdish) can give us guaranties that he will not be executed or tortured.

A letter of this type being handed from a Kurdish local official to a journalist show just how unprofessional this is. For us to hand over Krekar, the Iraqi government need to change the laws so that death penalty no longer is a sentence. The court system in Iraq, if it's based on the American system, is independent from the government and a Kurdish official can not tell the courts how to judge. The courts judge by the laws, not by what a Kurdish official has stated to a journalist.

The Vice President of the Parliament however, who is interviewed in the episode, represents the same party as the Chairman of the Progress Party. They are far right, but they have 22% of the seats in the Parliament and are in opposition. So they are to be taken seriously, but I think it's bad that they have not interviewed anyone from the Cabinet. However being Vice President of the Parliament I think is a wrong way of translating it, because he is more correctly Vice President of the Praesidium in the Parliament.

If Norway can not expel Mullah Krekar, I think we should be able to prosecuting him here. That should be an option, instead of letting him fall between the chair and letting him win until the time he is expelled (hopefully). I hope you see that the case is a bit more complicated, than what the show has made it to.

The show may have left some screaming in laughter, however, I'd be more embarassed to live in a country where a well-known terrorist is living freely with his mother while listed in the phone book--I don't think that's a fact I'd be flaunting. His refugee status was taken away because of he returned to Iraq and committed terrorist activities. He wasn't even granted Norwegian citizenship because he was determined as a national security threat to Norway (and he's still living in Norway!) Now that's funny! Persons on this comment board should do more research on Mullah Krekar (and more than just saying "hi" on the street or shopping at the same neighborhood grocery store), instead of worrying if someone is too young to be a Lt. Colonel.

It's not the situation with Mullah Krekar that we Norwegian find funne. Far from it. The situation is a real problem, we have an individual who is not wanted in our country, who the supreme court has ruled is not allowed to be here. However, the Human Rights Convention applies to everyone - not just those we like. So, we can't deport him. He's not convicted of any crimes in Norway, so we can't incarcerate him. But believe you me, as soon as we get the opportunity, he's on the first plane out of here. Yes - we ARE proud that even suspected terrorist keep their human rights in Norway. However, we don't find it funny and we don't like it any more than you do.

What we DO find funny is this bogus-ass show NBC made. WHAT a load of crap. Nobody gets killed from hiding in suburban Oslo shrubbery.

I can't believe the difference in attitude between americans and europeans. What has happened? Is it just me or are most americans blinded by the 9/11 attacks? America was before the strongest protector of human rights, the flag a proud symbol of freedom. I was hoping a lot would change back to normal after Obama moved into the White House. He's a man with great vision and broad understanding, but obviously the 8-years of Bush Jr. has changed the people more than I feared. Even if the US foreign policy is getting back on track the people are still full of hate. I know 9/11 was a terrible thing, but does that mean you can take away other peoples rights? Even if it's a sure thing that a person is a murderer he still deserves a fair treatment. Sending someone back to a country where he will be tortured and killed is not protecting human rights.

Someone mentioned that Norwegians would not feel the same way if it was Hitler who was living in the city of Oslo. But even Hitler would have deserved a fair trail. Look at the military and political leaders in the Nuremburg trails; they were not mistreated or tortured. They were treated as officers, with respect and dignity.

When it comes to the political party FrP, it's a sad thing that they have such a high poll-rating. But let it be clear that they are a populist party earning votes for lower gas prices and taxes. What mindless idiot would not be blinded and vote for that? hehe.. yes, in other words 22% of the country of Norway are mindless idiots.

And when it comes to misspelling of words, Jeff; try writing about the same issue in another language than your mother-tongue. Because, not only do Norwegians have Norwegian, English and German/French in school, but Norwegian also consists of two different written languages.

Justice for all, human rights for all! Send Krekar back, but if we violate international human rights by doing so, how can we then be better than the terrorists??

As a former U.S. resident who moved to Norway eight months ago I find it refreshing to be where people aren't consumed by fear and hatred. Shows like this and the eagerness so many have to demonize others dishonor those victimized by 9/11 because it continues to reaffirm to those who actually attacked us it was a victory beyond their wildest imaginations.

Jani, I am a Norwegian and if i should be embarassed to live in a country where a supposed (he is not convicted in a trial) is living freely, because Norway and all other european countries can not extradite Krekar without beeing in vialation of international human rights.

Then you should be twice as embarassed to live in a country that abduct foreign citisens, torture and imprison them without trial and break almost all the rules in the Geneve convention.

And now after having them illegal imprisoned for many years, Obama calls upon other countries to take care of them, well I say clean up your own mess.

Hugo

Hugo,
It is interesting that you jumped to the conclusion that I am American. I hate to be the bearer of news that citizens of other countries besides America find it replusive that this so-called man is living freely in your country. You may want to start by speaking with the family of Paul Moran in Australia.

I'm from Norway and you are absolutely wrong. These people you present as leaders of a right wing minor party, actually leads a party that has the support of 1/3 of Norways population on recent polls....

To Jani: If the Australian authorities wanted to try him for the killing of Paul Moran, they could probably get an extradition quite easily. Australia doesn't have capital punishment and its justice system is well developed, so seeing how the Norwegian government is eager to get him off their back they'd probably be thrilled if a country like Australia wanted to try him. However, they [the Australian prosecutors] in all likelihood do not have sufficient evidence linking him to the murder by a long shot. They'd be demolished in court by any half-decent defense lawyer and they know it. He wasn't within a thousand miles of the murder scene.

Too bad Krekar didn't step outside and have his jihad on this "elite" journalist team.
it would have killed 2 birds.
1-We wouldn't have to see another 1 minute news story turned into an hour long overdramatization.
2-Then the Norway officials would have an excuse to at least lock up Krekar.

To Jani

sorry for mistaken you for an us citizen, It was just the way you defended the program, Like lying about beeing a retired Lt colonel.

What worries me the most is that some people actually believe what the show tells them. That they dont see the cutting of the interview. A 3 hour interview down to 8 minutes? I wonder what the raw material was. They put the wrong answer to the questions.
I dont like Krekar either, but I think we should follow the law. Actually I can trace my family tree all the way back to the old vikings. So I am as ethnic norwegian as they come.

Hugo

Thank you for these articles, David. I’m Norwegian and I live a short distance away from Krekar's appartment. I could go on and on about this "documentary," but in the end, words almost fail me. Suffices to say it's probably the worst piece of trash I've ever seen, and I quite a bit of American and Norwegian television.

A couple of points though: Besides the fact that the program's format should leave little doubt as to the authority of this "elite team", it was interesting to note such details as the situation room with the screen showing: "[Name:] KREKAR, Mullah" (which makes about as much sense as "Name: DAVE, Pastor") – with the obligatory bleeps and bloops to accompany the scrolling letters (it seems that R2D2 is not only creatively involved Hollywood blockbusters, but also in their docudrama counterparts). While they were at it, they should have added canned laughter.

Later, the elite team’s own War Crimes prosecutor David Crane refers to the Norwegian government (cabinet) as “the federal government.” Norway is, of course, a unitary state, but I suppose the “expert in international law and diplomacy” with “30 years as a special operations officer and senior US intelligence official” behind him wouldn’t know the difference.

The whole surveillance stunt was a complete joke and totally unnecessary. And the confrontational and heavily edited interviews with Krekar and with the Norwegian immigration official, none of whom has English as their first language of course, were downright pathetic. The elite team was shocked and outraged that the official would not start handling Krekar’s case in front of NBCs cameras and Team America. Well, luckily, that’s not how things work in this country.

Also, one does not need to support Krekar’s political agenda to recognize that the interview with him was so heavily edited that it made little sense. F.i: Regardless of what he may and may not have done, he has at least stated very clearly that he does not want to target civilians, and made the example that any bomb in Oslo could just as well kill his own children, and yet, when the “elite team” asks him if American civilians are legitimate targets, the camera cuts to Krekar saying ”What’s the difference between American civilians and Norwegian civilians – no different,” giving the impression that Krekar would like to kill anyone and anything that’s American or Western. It’s not hard to see that this is the kind of interview that the target audience probably wanted.

I don’t want to defend Krekar’s views in any way. I loathe Islamic extremism as much as I do American or Russian or Chinese imperialism or any philosophy that aims to justify one state or nation dominating another. My point is that the fact that this piece of crap passes for journalism is, frankly, rather disturbing. It’s interesting that the “elite team” includes a former Navy SEAL. People may remember that Newsweek reported in 2003 on how the US considered having Navy SEALs descend on Krekar’s apartment and kidnap him, but ultimately discarded the plans because the risk of a gun battle with Norwegian police was deemed too high. It’s almost a shame the “elite team” didn’t give it a shot this time. I would have loved to see their arrogance land them in jail.

Hello, This is briiliant. And I must say it is analytical comments like this from viewers in Norway that really exposed this NBC News report for the trumped-up, ridiculous production it is. You have my thanks. Z

I do find it to be funny if a SEAL team didn't extract Krekar due to fear of a firefight with norwegian police. I realize it goes beyond the fact that norwegian police doesn't carry firearms on their person and that the SEAL team would be long gone by the time our police force could conjure up a revolver but it's still a bit of a funfact from where I'm sitting.

Anyway, as has been pointed out several times already we adhere to the Geneva Conventions and therefore can not extradict Krekar to Iraq. Or the USA for that matter. That does not mean that we're supporting him in any way, we just don't jump around and amend the constitution in order to sell our freedom for a false sense of security. Especially not to adhere to demands given by someone who probably would fail to locate Geneva on a map.

I'd love to see him out of our country so if Australia steps up and demand him handed over I'd gladly pay for the ticket.

Just watched the show on norwegian tv, and I couldn't decide if I wanted to laugh or get mad. It's gotta be one of the most amature-wannabe-60minutes-reporting I've ever seen. It's already been commented that you don't get killed in that neighbourhood of Oslo, like the Delta-force-wannabes feared, and that the goverment can't act on papers from a bogus court abroad, and so on. And by the way; the two ultra-right-wing politicians who were interwied represent a party that has NEVER been in power. Ever! Plus the fact that he is listed in the phonebook. Like one other here commented "it's not Tora Bora, it's Oslo, get serious". But who the *** do these "reporters" think they are? Coming to the norwegian pairlament and demanding that we listen to them, because they come bearing the grand truth... Ridicolous! And though I understand that this matter may stir up a lot of feelings in the US, I have only thing to say: don't come bashing on us because WE adhere to international law and human rights. Start doing that yourself (example: Guantanamo) before you act all high and mighty over other countries who DON'T violate the humanrights!

Most things about the program have been commented, but I would like to ad one thing. In the end on "the dramatic rooftop scene" one of the "elite warriors" say that "we know where hi is, we can take him down right now". That comment, for me, sums up the entire program; the warrior is in Norway (technically) as a tourist, a civilian. Who does he think he is. This is a soverign country with a solid justice system, not Iraq or Afghanistan, and the amature-show whould be better of to take that kind of Team America mentality home and stay there. It's just offencive.

The comments from Norway have, by and large, been brilliant. That is what I so disliked about the series: the phony elite warrior mentality with all its over the top chauvanism. Thanks so much. Z

I am Norwegian, and i must say the Krekar documentary on NBC seemed really childish. First there is an intro of some macho guys traveling undercover to Norway to expose a man that has been on Norwegian television a million times and who is more than happy to give interviews an anyone. I bet they haven't done research by even reading what the national newspapers have said about his trial. They just heard that he was here, and decided that they know better than all the years of coverage that has been in the papers. Bad documentary by incompetant journalists. I really laughed when they said they "could be killed". They must be living in a fantasy world. And yes, i too think he should be sent to Iraq eventually.

Hey americans. What do you say, we'll cut a deal. You hand over Henry Kissinger to france and argentina, and other war criminals you're hiding to the respective countries they're wanted in, and we'll give you the single one we have.

Sound good?

seriosly (sorry my bad english, but I'm only 14 years old and a norwegian, (I need to get better) This was interesting to see how the americans see this case. It's great that they wanna help the norwegians, but serisously, I'm embarrassed how stupid they made norwegian politicians look. It looked like we couldn't handle this, and the supermans from the States came to save us from the dangarous man with the long beard. To help us the supermans needed to be very careful, because it was a very dangerous area were you could get killed if somebody saw you. Oh no, we don't want our supermans from the U.S to get killed!

Okey. It's fantastic that they want justice to happend and try to help, but the way they made the streets of Norway look (When did it become dangerous to walk in Oslo?) and the norwegian politicians (Man, have we not tried to send him out of here? I didn't know we were so stupid that we needed our supermans from the U.S to help us..)

Okay, now to the positive:
Great that they wanna help and send him back to iraq and make justice happend. It's great that they want people to know that it is terrorist out in the world that is living in freedom. Great that they had a interview with Mullah Krekar (Did you guys here him speak english? That was a bit fun!)
And it's great that they traveled all the way.

I think the idea was great, but they didn't get the idea on tape. ( Gah, if my english was better!)
It had been much better if they got the point forward in a different way then they did. But a great idea! :)

You are very smart for your age, Sigrun, to see how the piece made it sound like the American supermen were coming to do what the Norwegians supposedly couldn't. I, too, was troubled by that. Good for you to see through their attempted TV tricks. Z

Hei alle amrikanere!
jeg er en pakistansk gutt er født og oppvokst i Norge!
i deres tv program stempler dere alle utledninger som terroristen dere filmer etter uskyldige folk! ja jeg er mot Mulla krekar han er terrorist men Tøyen er ikke en farlig sted! det er akkuratt som å være på Chinatown i New york!

Ohmy! Just watched this on Norwegian TV. Its the s---------thing i have ever watched, And i dont even want to call it a documentary. They dont ask the important questions, and they interview the wrong people. I agree this article by David Zurawik 100 %.

Maybe Mulla Krekar is a sick man, and what he said in the interview was infact very disturbing, but ALL the other parts of this reality/action-program were s---.

What about those drama-queens lurking around Oslo's streets, sitting in cars, sweating, just to watch people go by an apartment you easily can ring the doorbell and get into?

All of you who thinks this was a good program, YOU'RE WRONG!

Hello Andreas: I like the term "drama queens" for the team members who treied to make a renting a car sound likek a life and death situation. Thanks. Z

All of you saying: "what about if Norway had their own 9/11", or "what about Hitler living in Norway?"

Well, we've had our own "9/11", it was called World War 2, and it didn't destroy some buildings, it destroyed a whole country, and killed many many times much more people than 9/11. And we didn't even have the control of our own country, because our enemies lived here and had the control. Of course 9/11 was horrible, one of the most horrible events of the history. But you cannot compare Hitler's role in WW2 to Mullah Krekar's role in the 9/11 attacks. Hitler was ONE leader and had all the responsibility and blame. Mullah Krekar is a small part of a big terrorist-elite, with Bin Laden as the front man.

So all americans, stop being ignorant like that and open your eyes!

"Posted by: IL | July 21, 2009 5:57 PM

I wonder if the Norwegian population would think it so funny if they had their very own 9-11!!!!"

Let me enlighten you!! Also Norway has soldiers in various part of the world, fighting this war!! We have all lost someone in the 9/11 attach, or in the following war. Dont be ignorant, non in Norway inclusive left wing radicales enjoy having him or other war crimenals living and enjoing our their freedom in this beautiefull country. Foolish remark "IL"

"Posted by: Darryl | July 21, 2009 1:52 PM

Although the mock drama was over the top, Would the people of Norway feel the same way if Hitler was living amongst them."

Mullah Krekar or Hitler same thing!! U should be bright enought to know the answer to your own question, and bright enough not to ask a question like that. Norwegians have lost their lives in this war to, not only you....

Hi there!

First and foremost i would like to say that i am a young norwegian conservative who just might have a different viewpoint than some of the Norwegians commenting here. Its been said that FRP is a ultra-right wing party, that is wrong. The Norwegian government today is a coalition of the social democratic party (arbeiderparty = workers party), farmers party (senterpartiet) and the socialist left wing party (sosialistisk venstreparty). This is according to my view as much a ultra left wing coalition as FRP is a ultra right wing party.

If mullah krekar had lived in england the same problem would have occurred because of the UN human rights deceleration (which wisely the US have not signed). In england conservative leader david cameron have proposed to "withdraw" from the declaration because it is a threat to englands national security. The same thing should happen in Norway.

The Norwegian anti-terror police (PST) spends millions of dollars every year on surveillance of mullah krekar. Mullah krekar rarely leaves his own home, except once every week he goes to the mosque, which proves that "wanted" didn't do much surveillance. Mullah krekar is not a prominent figure in the norwegian muslim community, he just goes to mosque every week and no one at the mosque talks to him.

I would like to remind some Americans that Norway is contributing to the war against terror in Afghanistan and have had casualties, not as much as the US of course but then again, Norway just has 4,5 million citizens.

Mullah Krekar founded a group who waged war on Saddam Hussein's regime, and for a brief period they occupied a portion of northern Iraq. By the time of the US invasion, Krekar was living in Oslo unaffiliated with ansar al-islam or al qaeda. Currently he still lives in Oslo, unemployed, and is known as an arch-islamist instigator and sworn enemy of the United Stated. His family are all Norwegian citizens. Norwegian Supreme Court has ruled him a security risk, and his refugee status is revoked.
Once Iraq returns to a civilized state, he will be extradited for sure.

Here is what NBC did not discover in their ground-breaking piece of journalism:

Krekar is not behind bars because all he does is exert his freedom of speech in a bizarre manner. He has to do more than that to be kept in detention. It does not suffice to possess the ugliest beard in Scandinavia. It's not like he has access to weapons or explosives. Norwegian intelligence and police are keeping him under constant surveillance.

As a side note: Norway prefer to extradite war criminals to the UN tribunal in Haag. So far the UN has not indited Krekar.

Thank you very much. Z

I watched this show with my parents, and after excitedly realizing that the ex-Navy SEAL was lurking about my sister's back yard like it was downtown Baghdad (and sticking out like sore thumb doing it, I might add), we spent the rest of the show alternately laughing and just going 'Just look the guy up in the citizen's register for pete's sake!'

Krekar has been decided evicted from Norway six years ago, with his last appeal having been rejected in 2007. However, as long as the Norwegian foreign department can't be certain that he won't be tortured or executed if extradited to Iraq (as the foreign department official pointed out), no extradition will take place.

The afore mentioned foreign department official quite sensibly pointed out that she didn't wish to speculate on what specific evidence would be needed to assure the Norwegian authorities that Krekar won't be executed, and that the process of determining so was ongoing. This is just the sort of reasonable and professional answer I expect and demand from people in the immigrations branch of the foreign department and if it doesn't pack the sensationalist punch expected of some media outlets - well, tough.

The Norwegian authorities are monitoring the development of the situation in Iraq continously and as soon as they - in their professional opinion - are certain that the situation is such that Krekar won't be in danger of execution, he will be extradited.

Most of the political debate going on in Norway on this case is fuelled by the right-wing populist Progress Party, to which both Norwegian politicians interviewed have affiliations (Siv Jensen being the present party leader and Carl I. Hagen being the former). As has been mentioned before, the Progress Party (abbreviated FrP in Norwegian) is not really an ultra-right-wing party, but they are a populist party and playing on xenophobia, fear and racism garners support and votes. The Krekar case has been a goldmine of opportunities for them to accuse the Norwegian authorities (to which they sit in opposition) of being paralyzed and unwilling to properly investigate possible solutions. They have stated that if they win the election coming up this September, the first thing they will do is evict Krekar... International commitments and regulations be damned!

My personal opinion is that Krekar is a pathetic and harmless man who lives with his mother and subsides on the paycheck brought in by his wife (who is a Norwegian citizen along with the couple's four children). He has no passport, no official identity papers and no permission to work, his correspondence and movements are tracked by the Norwegian intelligence services (another fact that failed to be mentioned...), and he spends most of his days in his mother's apartment where he no doubt remembers the grand old days when he lead an 'army' of a couple hundred crazies in the mountains of Kurdish Iraq. He wasn't even man enough to prevent Pakistani-born comedienne Shabana Rehman from lifting him (quite unceremoniously, I might add) on a 2004 conference, saving his anger for when he was off stage.

Make no mistake, Krekar should stand trial for the accusations made against him, but to say that he in his current state poses any threat to anyone except perhaps his mother is ludicrous.

So in closing, I'd like to say that this the pilot episode of 'The Wanted' was probably the most laughably absurd, pompously self-important and blatantly stupid piece of drivel I have seen on TV in a good long time. It's very clear that the 10.000 monkeys on the 10.000 typewriters still have a long way to go before they start producing any Shakespeare...

Thank you so much for further exposing this shabb, silly and dishonest piece of faux journalism. And I do mean faux. I hesitate to even use the word "journalism" in connection with this production. Z

Read on internet just now that the Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre asked NBC three weeks ago if they wanted his (i.e.the Norwegian Foreign Ministry's) opinion about the Krekar case. NBC turned him down.

The Norwegian Minister of Justice Knut Storberget was also interviewed by those Navy Seals from NBC, but NBC obviously didn't find his analysis and opinion interesting enough.

Better for business to show interviews with two politicians that never have been close to Government Office, and thereby don't have to show any responsibility to Norways international commitments.

But since they share the same ignorant perspective that NBC wanted to reflect, well, put'em on!

NBC and their "correspondents" was trying to make a mockery about a country that stick to their international commitments, who means yes when they say yes, and no when they say no.

Not like US of A, that has signed the Geneva convention, but gives a shit about signatures or international rules when they find it opportune. USA tortures persons because the persons deserve it, and if they torture innocent persons, they are polite enough to say "sorry, dude, wrong guy".

Btw, David,thanks for your comments about the program, it is kind of reassuring to know that there are still some sane voices in your country..;)

Zildete dos Santos
Brazil

According to Dagbladet (norwegian newspaper), the NBC-team had an interview with the norwegian minister of justice that did not make it to the final version of the documentary and they was offered an interview with the norwegian minister of foreign affairs that they declined. I suppose the right-wingers from the progress party made a better show.

norwegian

Posted by: IL | July 21, 2009 5:57 PM

I wonder if the Norwegian population would think it so funny if they had their very own 9-11!!!!

9-11?
Please.

Try beeing invaded by the nazi's

I am a norwegian living in Norway. I must say this is the worse documentary I have ever seen. Why were they standing on the top of a building before they went to visit Krekar? Why not just call him?
Why lurk around the bushes and why spy on him? Do they think that other terrorists will come to him for supper?

And whats the deal with music? Its a very odd choice of music, gives you the feeling like a truck is going to blow up.

I find it hard to call this a documentary. I think its hurting the genre and cannot be taken serious. Its more like an action serie like 24.

I also felt that the makers of it, were more interested in themselves then Krekar.

Last aspect that must be raised, why did they bring a sniper?

Whats for sure is that Krekar should be sent home and if he gets executed who cares. He is the founder of a brutal terrorist organisation and we must not forget that the world are fighting terrorist every day. With sacrificing once life for this cause, its important to wipe out the leaders. Remember he is the founder of Ansa Al Islam. He deserves all bad things that can happen to him.

What has surfaced in the Norwegian press this morning, and may be worth noting for the readers of this forum, is that the Wanted team declined an offer to sit down with the Norwegian Minister of Justice, as well as with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, to hear the government’s side of the Krekar story. Instead, Adam Ciralsky and his team stonewalled an immigration official, demanding that she process their dubious letter of guarantee in front of a live camera. To be sure, calling this journalism is a stretch by any meaning of the word.

In a broader perspective, the Krekar case poses a dilemma to a society like Norway’s governed by the rule of law. But the law is clear in this case: Extraditing someone to a country where he or she risks the death penalty is a violation of the European Convention of Human Rights. All European countries are parties to the convention, and several have been convicted in Strasbourg for doing precisely that.

Norway is committed to observing its obligations to international law, and that commitment now is being put to the test. All the show’s drama and editing aside, Krekar does make a few statements during the interview that exposes him as the Islamic fundamentalist that he is, and that send chills down my back. The Norwegian Supreme Court has upheld the verdict calling him a threat to national security, yet the government is committed to extending the same civil liberties to Mullah Krekar as to everyone else. In my view, protecting all individuals – even those who are threatening to harm it – is the virtue of every modern state.

... The program is not "a big joke in Norway"

But, and it is a big BUT,

Norway have goverment election in less then 50 days. And don`t forget media, almost all kinds of media in Norway are from the left side, like the today gowerment...

The was already a part of the election campain far before the program was showned in Norway...

Krekar, the terrorist, have maybe houndreds of life on his
conscience and most of the norwegian wnat hinm out of the contry..

I also think maybe a majority of the norwegians don`t care so much about his fate by sending him back ro Irak...

That is the truth, but I can se the left side people in Norway have made a campain against the right side because of the program...

The program itself was a bit silly... But there is NO DOUBT about that 99% of the norwegians want the terrosist out of Norway today, they don`t care what will happend to him after..

But once again, the program have become politics..

As a Norwegian living approx 700 meters away from Mullah Krekars apartment, I found this show hysterically funny. But what in the name of all that is holy made a Senior Fellow of CNAS, a deeply serious thinkthank, dress up as a power-ranger and go skulking around my neighbourhood pretending to be in mortal danger?

As ana side, to those of you who are shocked by Krekar being allowed to use his freedom of expression: There is a term in intelligence gathering called a "honey-pot". When he writes on the internets, he is being monitored, as is his correspondents. Just a thought.

Some background:

The provisions of international law prohibiting deportion is the European Convention on Human Rights and its protocols, and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, which the signatory states are obliged to follow. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Convention_on_Human_Rights for background.

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs released this statement on 21 July (my translation): "The Norwegian Government's view is absolutely clear: We wish to return the person known as Mullah Krekar to Iraq as soon as possible. He is expelled from Norway. He is regarded as a threat to national security. We are considering the situation in Iraq continuously, with the aim of returning him as soon as possible. As soon as Mullah Krekar can be returned to Iraq without this breaching our obligations under international law, this will be done. We are considering the situation in Iraq continuously, and are in contact with Iraq concerning this". In full in Norwegian: http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/ud/tema/folkerett/spesiell-folkerett/the_wanted_qa.html?id=571958

The Norwegian Supreme Court considered the matter of Mullah Krekar in 2007. For those comfortable with Norwegian, the ruling can be found here: http://www.domstol.no/upload/HRET/Internett/Avgj%C3%B8relser/2007-207.pdf

Being a norwegian veteran from UNIFIL in Lebanon, please let me reflect on some of the the Krekar-comments here:

Krekar is most probably a terrorist, and even if this TV-show truly was bizzare journalism, it still leaves some interesting questions. US, norwegian and other allied soldiers, fighting for democracy in Afghanistan and Iraq, is being killed by Krekar followers. He is supporting and urging his colleagues to murder our fellow citizens. So: How do we treat terrorists that take advantage of the protection in a free, democtratic country? Krekar has even been on "vacation" back in Iraq several times, and I can understand that he laughs at us for being so naive.

Obviously there is a loophole that makes our system inadequate.

I personally would prefer open detention on one of our arctic islands - Svalbard or Jan Mayen. Some people say this is inhumane - but our own countrymen live there, and we would make a clear statement to other war criminals wanting to enjoy the beatiful Oslo summers.

PS Lets hope there never will be a gunfight between Navy SEALS and norwegian police (It is correct that regular police patrolmen in Norway does not carry arms, but the SWAT-squad in Oslo has the gunpower and alertness, I would presume)

To Norwegian veteran. You first mention that Krekar is "most probably a terrorist", later you suggest sending him to Svalbard as "a clear statement to other war criminals".

Svalbard would have been a brilliant idea, just one problem, Krekar is neither convicted as a terrorist nor as a war criminal...

Like Norwegian Veteran, a lot of Norwegians complain that "he laughs at us for being so naive. "

I don't know if Krekar actually laughs, but so what? Is that a reason to violate international commitments and send him out of Norway?

I may rather think the shitbag is "flabbergasted", observing it exist countries and societies that take Human Rights seriously, contrary to his Iraq and especially his Kurdistan.

Let us teach and show those anti-democratic forces that pluralistic societies may function and flourish, and that obeying Human Rights give the members of the society more security and more freedom.

I did find the program really funny. Most things have been said already. My top moment was when they claimed they might be killed if they were detected in Krekar's back yard. That would be bad luck, joining the 4 - four men and 5 - five women that were killed in all of Oslo in the year 2007 (the last year I could find figures). Clearly an extremely dangerous capital city.
http://www.ssb.no/emner/03/01/10/dodsarsak/tab-2009-04-07-22.html

HI Morten: Thank you for the excellent reminder on levels of violence in America vs. many European countries. You certainly don't need NBC falsely imposing a "wild west" cowboy mentaility on Norway. Thanks. Z

It's rather enjoying to read people thoughts coming straight from the gut. I think it's quite funny how the Norwegian right-wingers (Progress Party) and American "journalists" are viewing Norway. They think we are some sort of powerful international actor that can set the rules of diplomacy aside to achieve our goals. When you're bound to international legislation, you can't disobey it just to get rid of a terrorist. You can argue against the legislation, but that would ruin the legitemacy of Human Rights as well as other people would suffer. I have a question; When do we ever stop being humans?

I went into this this with great respect for the Norwegian sense of law and international accountability. My admiration has only grown as a result of comments like this. Thank you. America journalism is debased by this show. Z

I haven't watched this yet, but I hope to get a chance to watch. Morten above makes a good point. Why don't we focus our journalistic efforts toward some of the crime here in America, maybe we could actually make a difference on the streets of our own cities. We are chasing the wrong story. It doesn't seem like it evens really involves us. It is up to the Norwegian country to bring this man to justice through extrication.

I haven't watched this yet, but I hope to get a chance to watch. Morten above makes a good point. Why don't we focus our journalistic efforts toward some of the crime here in America, maybe we could actually make a difference on the streets of our own cities. We are chasing the wrong story. It doesn't seem like it evens really involves us. It is up to the Norwegian country to bring this man to justice through extrication.

This is perfect.

You americans send over your journalists and navy seal snipers, and hide them in the bushes fearing for their life.

and europe sends over the Borats and Brunos.

Your point is nicely made. Z

Krekar is a pain in the but, and it´s a disgrace that the sucker still resides in Norway. His opinions are totally fucked up, and the guy has no legitimate reason to stay here..

But on the other hand, Norway has signed treaties not to extredite people to countries where they can face the death penaltty. Even members and important figures in the parties currently in power wants him out, but they´re hands are tied.

The drama-effects in this "documentary" are just hilarious. Everyone who has ever visited Norway knows that our reality is more peacefull than described in the film, though we have our problems with intergration of immigrants.

Anwyay, this attention is good fun for us. We norwegians are very fond of attention, especially from our american friends :)

It's apparent that the Norwegians love to wave their fists touting that they stand by the "rule of law" - just as long as this "rule of law" agrees with their own points of view.

It's simple. He is wanted for trial. Send him to those who want to put him on trial. It's not up to the world to appease you and pander to your obviously fragile sensibilities, and your arrogance in presuming that the world needs to do so is indicative of Eurostan's typical arrogance.

The funny and ironic thing is you all seem so proud that this scumbag living among you and on your dole gives you the opportunity to thumb your nose at what you see as the uncultured and inferior west. If that's your attitude, then he's among what may as well be his own people.

Keep the smelly little bastard, obviously he's among friends.

"Keep the smelly little b------, obviously he's among friends."

@Luher

No, he's not republican.

Yeah, we keep an unconvicted Krekar. And you keep your Bush. How many amendments did he steal from your constitutions again? nr. 1,4,5? Ring a bell?

You people that go OMG on our rights are really without hair on your b----.

The only reason you did not impeache Bush is because Obama said no. And you are all remembered as p------ for it!

And then you dare come tell us what to do? ...

I had to make a few edits for language. I hope you will understand. Thanks. Z

"Although the mock drama was over the top, Would the people of Norway feel the same way if Hitler was living amongst them."

Thank you for proving Godwin's law, Darryl, and only in the 3rd comment too. Amazing.

For those unfamiliar with this at times amazingly accurate law of internet discussions, head over to http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin%27s_law

It's of course highly theoretical what would have happened of Hitler was in norway at the end of WWII, but it's a pretty safe bet that he would have been shot. Death penalty was removed from the norwegian penalty system in 1902 but was temporarily reinstated in 1945 by our legislative branch of government. Those found guilty of treason was shot. They were still given a fair trial though, something that can't be said about collaborateurs liquidated by the resistance during the actual war, but I digress.

The moment you start taking human rights away from "some" people is the moment you've started on a path noone here wants to go down. In 1976 a guy named Martin Niemöller made a poem. And since you're the one to bring up Hitler in the first place, Darryl, I feel it fits right in here.

When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.

Then they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
I did not protest;
I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews,
I did not speak out;
I was not a Jew.

When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out for me.

"It's apparent that the Norwegians love to wave their fists touting that they stand by the "rule of law" - just as long as this "rule of law" agrees with their own points of view."

I just have to comment on this, even though it borders on semantics. Are you saying that if the "rule of the law" did not agree with our point of view, we should ignore it?

The vast majority of norwegians want krekar to get the hell out of our country, but our law prohibits it from being done. We're supposed to feel bad because we don't spit on our own constitution now?

Firstly, apologies for my shortcomings when translating legal terms from Norwegian to English.

It should be added that the man in question, Mullah Krekar, has, while in Norway, twice been charged and arrested, but not convicted by criminal law. This is mentioned in the Supreme Court ruling that was linked to earlier.

The ruling states that Krekar was charged once for an (or even several) act(s) of terrorism, this charge was dropped before it came to court (Presumably by lack of evidence, my note). Another charge was made for "two accounts of being an accessory to attempted murder in Iraq, through another mans attempt to use hand grenade and suicide bomb (...) [and] conspiracy to injure or murder" (my translation). The latter charge was dropped "etter bevisets stilling" loosely translates to "due to the nature of evidence".

No apologies necessary, believe me. You are enlightening anyone willing to pay attention. Thank you. Z

I think the story of the prime minister under the seconds world war in Norway should be told. You might have countries like the us and uk and others that basked in the glory of their victories. And all their names might be forgotten. But there is one word that did not find it's way into all the words dictionaries. The name used to be a last name. It's Quisling. That used to be the last name of the 2 world war primeminister. And he was shot when captured. By 5 elected men.

I for one think that is a testomony to our believes on treators. I for one are a Norwegian.

I for one do not fear pain.

Luther, have you read any of the comments on this site? I cannot find ONE comment wanting Krekar to stay in Norway,

The " rule of law" is actually the "rule of law", and the Norwegian Government and (most of) the Norwegian wants to obey their international commitments, even if Krekar is a pain in the ass for all Norwegians. Call it principles.

Well, from your your comment about Eurostan and its fragile sensibilities and typical arrogance I presume you are American..?

If you interpret all the comments here in a way that Norwegians are proud to have the shitbag Krekar staying in their country, I would like you to point out in which comments you find that pride.

That those NBC "journalists" tried to make a mockery of Norway and their government, but ending up making fools of themselves, are neither mine nor your fault.

And yes, a lot of Europeans consider USA and Americans to be uncultured. You know why? Read your own comment once more, and then read the comments from most Norwegians here, and you may find a clue.

And again, NBC sending those idiots trying to shit on the Norwegian Government and its international obligations is pretty uncultured, even bringing a sniper in case he got an opportunity. A Norway that always has been one of USA's closest friends and allies, that's pretty rude and arrogant, don't you think?

Ja! For vår grunnlov står uansett hva noen forteller deg. Og hvis noen vil forandre den så kan de ta det opp.

Luther said: "It's simple. He is wanted for trial. Send him to those who want to put him on trial. It's not up to the world to appease you and pander to your obviously fragile sensibilities, and your arrogance in presuming that the world needs to do so is indicative of Eurostan's typical arrogance." Yeah. And at the same time you can send the dozen CIA-agents indicted in Italy for abduction back to Italy. How many US citizens are indicted in various countries that you are not friends with? Like Vietnam (from the war) and , You think they ever will be forced out of the US? I think not... Let he who is without sin cast the first stone... And by the way; we'r not proud of having people like that living among us, but we'r proud of not compromising the fundamental tenants of out legal system because emotions are running high. Wich is more then others can say (i.e. the patriot act)

I don`t understand why some people seem to be offended that some of us found this program funny. I would like to se Krekar shipped out of our country today, and I can certainly see that the Norwegian government can be questioned in the case of Mulla Krekar.

None of that changes the fact that the program was a ridicolus over-the-top peace of uninformative drama. It shed absolutely no new light on the Krekar-situation, nor did it change anything whatsoever (unfortunately). Of course it`s funny when they do a survailance-routine, while Norwegian media have simply booked interviews by e-mail/phone on a regular basis for years. The claim that someone could get killed if something went wrong just crushed any credibility. I believe hearing that statement alone made me dumber...

At the end of the day, the fact that a lot of Norwegians found that documentary funny doesn't mean that we are ridiculing Americans, just the show. We have garbage tv-shows in Norway too. So lighten up.
Also, I was dissapointed. The show got a lot of attention in Norway before airing. I thought it would be a serious documentary-format show that could actually put some pressure on the government to act.

Here is the letter provided by NBC to the Norwegian foreign office:

http://www.regjeringen.no/upload/UD/Vedlegg/Folkerett/Fra%20TV2.pdf

As you see, it is not issued from the Iraqi central government. It makes no guarantee regarding capital punishment, except that Kurdistan has a moratorium on executions. The European Convention on Human Rights is a part of Norway's constitution. It prohibits extradition without formal guarantees against the death penalty. NBC provided false information regarding the contents of this letter.

That does not surpise me with the distortion, hype and false impressions this show sought to give throughout the hour. Thanks. Z

Hi. Great discussion about the Krekar-documentary. Interesting enough did NBC´s "no bullshit-team" never show how they got into Krekar´s flat for that final confrontation. I am told by a colleague of mine, that they got Krekar´s phone-number from a Norwegian journalist. Krekar invited them for a chat and a good up of tea. He loves to talk to foreign press.

I was in charge of the first made documentary about Krekar in 2002 in Norwegian Broadcastings investigative series, Brennpunkt, where we managed to interview him in his headquarter in Biyara in Iraq. I was also involved in the making of the an Australian documentary about the killing of an Australian photographer. In both cases he was more than willing to talk to us.

So the stake out outside Krekar´s house was totally waste of NBC´s production money. They could have gone to him directly like the Austrialians and others have done before him.

The Krekar-story has many ineresting aspects, but the NBC-story has little to do with journalism. And if I was in charge of the production-money, I would seriously ask what the hell the team was doing in Oslo.

And I guess Krekar enjoyed the show most of all. He loves to be portrayed as a freedom-fighter and radical Islamist. I guess NBC is welcome back any time.

Hi, Thanks so much for this illuminating background. Z

The point is that just about everything produced by NBC is junk - written and directed by a radical left-wing committee with no coherent focus on story. It's called stupidity.

The point is that just about everything produced by NBC is junk - written and directed by a radical left-wing committee with no coherent focus on story. It's called stupidity.

From the article: "Worse is the duplicity of NBC News in setting up two politicians from Norway as the voices of moral authority in the piece ... hardly represent the majority or any kind of moral authority."

Also from the article: "Here's one from a reader who ID'd himself only as 'some guy from Norway'"

Title of article: NBC's The Wanted: Already a joke in Norway

Oh the irony.

I can't believe most of the Norwegians commenting are so ignorant. Sure the show can
be a little over the top, but thats not the issue here. The issue is that you have a terrorist living
in your country who has been deemed a security threat by your very own country. Lets not pretend he is
innocent and just exercising his freedom of speech. Norway can easily enact laws that gives the
government the power to hold a trial in Norway if the country is so worried about him having his human
rights infringed upon. Don't tell me, your going to say that the law would infringe on his human rights? Truth
is it would actually strengthen his human rights seeing as in Norway he can get the fair trial all you ignorants
are worried about and he wouldn't have to face the death penalty. I can't wrap my head around the fact that
I can go to Iraq, kill someone, then travel to Norway and I will never have to face justice. I can't believe
Norwegians consider this acceptable.

Slight correction to a point of history -- the reinstatement of the death penalty was made by an unconstitutional temporary provision by the executive branch in 1941/1942. The legislative had nothing to do with it (save by the Elverum provision). It was an ex post facto law, unconstitutional, and illegal.

As to Mr. Skiba above. We do not merely pretend he is innocent. In a country ruled by law, he *is* innocent until he is proven guilty. The Attorney-General, leader of the Prosecution Service, determined that there is not enough evidence to warrant a trial. Not even the prosecution believe they could get a guilty verdict. Even so, the Council of State (Statsråd) could have overturned this decision, but it did not.

The man is not being tried because we don't have enough evidence to convict him.

The man is not being shipped out (expulsion is another matter) for trial in Iraq because we do not have guarantees that he will get a fair, independent, impartial trial. Neither do we have guarantees that he will not be issued the death penalty.

Norway has signed conventions where the principle is that we will not stand for the death penalty -- domestic or abroad. But, of course, were we a larger nation, a nation that did not have to worry about our image abroad, we wouldn't have to bother with our commitments.

As for your example, Mr. Skiba, it is absurd. First of all, in your own murder case I am certain the Iraqi government wouldn't have any issues giving us the satisfaction that you would only get life in prison. The problem here, as I see it, is that the Iraqi government would not be able to defend giving such a guarantee. In their own constituencies.

As such, politics and justice stand in the way of politics and justice -- the Norwegian government will not extradite him because they do not get guarantees, and the Iraqi government will not give guarantees because the guarantees would most likely be unpopular.

Justice could full well be served. But it is to be served under humane terms, lest it fail to be justice at all.

"Documentary creators would not interview Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, even if he was available, and they also chose not to use an interview done with Minister of Justice Knut Storberget. However, they found space for the Progress Party's Siv Jensen and Carl I. Hagen."
– http://translate.google.com/translate?prev=hp&hl=en&js=y&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nrk.no%2Fnyheter%2Fkultur%2F1.6706717&sl=no&tl=en&history_state0=

I can't wrap my head around the fact that I can go to Iraq, kill someone, then travel to Norway and I will never have to face justice.

Sign up with Blackwater: You can go to Iraq, kill someone, skip traveling to Norway altogether, never have to face justice AND get paid for it. Nothing but win!