A 34-year-old medical student, previously employed at Lærdal Hospital, is under investigation following a series of online videos in which he threatens Iranian dissidents residing in Europe. Norwegian health authorities have now denied his application for medical authorization, citing his social media conduct as incompatible with the profession. The case has sparked a debate regarding background screening procedures for healthcare workers from nations outside established security partnerships.
Why was the medical student denied authorization in Norway?
The Norwegian Directorate of Health (Helsedirektoratet) formally rejected the individual’s application for medical authorization after reviewing his online activity. According to Avdelingsdirektør Cathrine Lien Jensen, the directorate concluded that the applicant’s behavior is “not trustworthy and incompatible with practicing as a doctor in Norway.” While the directorate did not perform routine open-source background checks on all applicants previously, they initiated a review of this specific case after receiving external tips in early 2025.
What are the security implications of the threats?
The 34-year-old, who was filmed at Oslo Airport Gardermoen, explicitly threatened to target Iranian opposition members across Europe, including in cities like Uppsala, Stockholm, and Västerås. Sarah Gaulin, leader of the organization LIM (Equality, Integration, Diversity), characterizes these threats as serious. According to Gaulin, the Iranian regime has a documented history of utilizing criminal networks to conduct surveillance and kidnappings against critics abroad. She emphasizes that such rhetoric is intended to instill fear among the Iranian diaspora in Norway.
How do background check procedures in healthcare work?
The case has highlighted a gap in how Norwegian health institutions verify the background of international applicants. Lærdal Hospital, which operates under Helse Førde, admitted that the individual worked as a medical intern in 2024 using a student license. Following the exposure of the student’s activities, Helse Førde confirmed they have tightened their internal screening routines. The Directorate of Health stated they are now developing formal procedures for conducting open-source investigations into applicants from countries without formal security-sharing agreements with Norway, such as Iran.
Comparison: Disclosure of Background Checks
| Entity | Action Taken |
|---|---|
| Helsedirektoratet | Denied authorization; updating open-source screening routines. |
| Helse Førde | Admitted to prior oversight; implemented stricter local vetting. |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can the individual still practice medicine in Norway? No. The Directorate of Health has explicitly stated he is not fit for the profession and cannot hold a position requiring medical authorization.
- What was his status in Sweden? Reports from Sveriges Radio indicate his residence permit in Sweden was revoked in 2024.
- Does he deny the allegations? In an email exchange with NRK, the individual did not directly answer questions regarding his conduct, instead accusing the journalist of supporting the Mujahedin-e-Khalq (MEK) organization.
Have you encountered issues regarding professional vetting in the healthcare sector? Share your thoughts in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for updates on this ongoing investigation.
