Quoting unnamed sources, Norwegian media have over the past days reported more details of the PST surveillance which led to the arrest on Thursday morning of three men suspected of planning terrorism.
From these reports it has become clear that the three suspects must have been followed very closely by the PST (Police Security Service) over considerable time, probably at least a year.
One report relates that when one of the suspects wanted to purchase certain chemicals which could be used in the production of bombs, the PST were able to intervene and had the chemist exchange the liquid with a harmless substitute.
On Saturday the newspaper VG reported that the PST had installed a surveillance camera in the apartment of the 39-year-old supect of Uighur origin, and were able to monitor what was happening there in real time. It is believed that the chemicals to be used for a bomb in al-Qaida’s first terrorist attack on Norwegian soil, was stored in the man’s apartment.
However, according to the newspaper, the final target for the attack had not yet been chosen.
Several papers report that the suspect of Uzbekh origin had signed up for a course in oil drilling and well technology both in 2007 and in 2009, but never turned up at the school.
The Norwegian oil industry has by many been mentioned as a potential target for terrorism. An attack on Norwegian oil and gas production could have far-reaching consequences, not only for Norwegian economy, but also for the economy of nations depending on Norwegian oil and gas.
