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Often, the most effective way of countering a specific threat is to initiate criminal proceedings, especially in relation to terrorism and extremism.
The aim of our investigations is typically to establish sufficient grounds for proactive, early and targeted intervention in order to ensure that the threat never materializes. As part of this effort, sources, surveillance and other technical measures are commonly used.
PET has a special Centre for Investigation tasked with providing the best possible basis for bringing criminal charges in cases relating to terrorism, extremism and espionage. Like the rest of the Danish police, any criminal investigation performed by PET is subject to the provisions of the Administration of Justice Act.
Investigation and prosecution take place in close collaboration with the police and the Prosecution Service. When PET for instance investigates a terrorism or espionage case, the case is typically transferred to the relevant police district in connection with the initial arrests, by agreement with the Prosecution Service. The police district then finalizes the investigation and hands it over to the Prosecution Service, which brings it to court. Sometimes, PET assists the investigation until the trial begins, while, in other cases, we also assist in trying the case.
Below is a list of prominent cases investigated by PET in recent years.
Significant cases in recent years
In February 2020, the Iranian handler of the Norwegian-Iranian citizen was remanded in custody in absentia.
Iranian intelligence services are suspected of orchestrating assassinations and abductions of at least eight opponents of the Iranian regime residing in Europe and Turkey between 2015 and 2020.
In the wake of the case against the Norwegian-Iranian citizen, three leading ASMLA members were arrested and charged with violation of Section 108(1) of the Danish Criminal Code (espionage) for illegally carrying out intelligence activities in Denmark on behalf of a Saudi intelligence service between 2012 and 2020. The three men were charged with collecting information on individuals and businesses in Denmark and abroad and with imparting this information to a Saudi intelligence service. The three men were subsequently also charged with endorsement of terrorism and terrorist financing as well as espionage against military affairs pursuant to Section 108(2) of the Danish Criminal Code.
In April 2021, indictments were issued against the three men, and, in February 2022, they were given unconditional sentences of eight, seven and six years’ imprisonment, respectively, for espionage and promotion of terrorist activities. Further, the two eldest men were sentenced to deportation from Denmark with a permanent ban on re-entry. The case has been appealed to the High Court. The case is related to the above case, as one of the three ASMLA members was the target of the planned assassination.