Norwegian Afghan, Alleged ISKP Member, Fights Deportation
A Norwegian Afghan man, suspected by Norwegian authorities of being a member of the ISKP, a faction of IS responsible for numerous terror attacks in and outside Afghanistan, is now challenging his potential deportation from Norway. The man, a Norwegian citizen, is using his legal rights to stay in the country.
Norwegian authorities assert that the man continues to be under the leadership of the feared terrorist organization, posing a real threat to Norwegian lives and interests. They are now seeking to deprive him of his Norwegian citizenship. However, the man contends that he does not pose a threat and that losing his citizenship would severely impact his relationship with his daughter, who is a Norwegian resident.
In a final submission to Oslo District Court, the man’s lawyer, John Christian Elden, argues, "Losing Norwegian citizenship would be disproportionate for the applicant. He has a daughter in Norway whom he would lose all contact with." The lawyer also notes that the man, upon gaining Norwegian citizenship, lost his Afghan citizenship, potentially leaving him stateless if he is also stripped of his Norwegian citizenship.
The Norwegian government’s lawyer, however, disagrees with the notion that the man would become stateless. Instead, they emphasize the potential security threat, stating, "It must be assumed that the applicant is a member of ISKP and has been active for ISKP during his stay in Afghanistan. There is a risk that he is in Norway under the leadership of ISKP and constitutes a future threat to fundamental national interests in Norway."
The man’s lawyer responding by arguing the disproportionality of the potential punishment, stating that deportation would be "disproportionate to the applicant or the closest family members," given the potential threat.
Ironically, the specific threats posed by the man to Norway and the sources of the Norwegian Police Security Service’s (PST) information remain unknown. The government’s lawyer acknowledges that courts may review the conditions for deprivation of citizenship but also stresses that courts should exercise caution in scrutinizing PST’s and the ministry’s evidence, given the significant national interests at stake.
The case is set to be heard in Oslo District Court on January 8 and 9.