The Chief Prosecutor Takes Action After Norwegian Police Assisted Turkey in Case Against Parliamentarian
The Chief Prosecutor in Norway is reviewing police cooperation with Turkey following criticism over their assistance in a prosecution against a member of parliament.
The Chief Prosecutor of Norway has announced a review of procedures in response to significant criticism regarding the assistance provided by Norwegian police to Turkey in a legal case involving parliamentarian Seher Aydar, a representative from the RΓΈdt party. The authorities in Turkey requested assistance from Norwegian police, leading to Aydar being called in for questioning. She faces charges in Turkey for allegedly "making propaganda for a terrorist organization" stemming from two Facebook posts dated 2018, where she advocated for a legal demonstration and an event at the Litteraturhuset.
The case has sparked a considerable debate concerning the interactions between Norwegian and Turkish law enforcement, particularly in relation to Norway's obligations towards its citizens. Aydar's situation highlights the tension between national security concerns from Turkey and the rights of individuals in Norway, raising important questions about freedom of expression and the extent of police cooperation in foreign legal matters. This issue has drawn attention not only in Norway but also from international observers concerned about human rights implications.
The Justice Department has commented that they will refrain from making further statements until they have responded to the Storting, suggesting that further discussions regarding police procedures and their interactions with foreign governments will likely follow. This case could have implications for future collaborations between Norway and other nations in legal matters, specifically how police assistance is rendered to foreign authorities in politically sensitive circumstances.