Av Geir Selvik , Carin Pettersson og Ole Dag Kvamme

01/06/04: (TV2: Norway) Sources at the German intelligence bureau claim that CIA misinformed them about the alleged planned terror action in Hamburg December 30. Ansar al-Islam was accused of being behind the attempt. 

According to information provided TV 2 Nettavisen by German intelligence, they are convinced that the CIA information is wrong, and they allegedly fear that American authorities planted the information. 

German police have started an investigation after the terror alarm at the hospital in Hamburg December 30. So far, no evidence has been located that indicates that the terror alarm was genuine. 

Also German police who were tipped off by the CIA, doubt that the terror alarm was real. 

Might be fake
“We have not found any proof that the terror alarm was genuine, but we haven’t found any evidence that states it was not,” said Vahldiecker, officer at Landesamt fûr Varfassungsschutz in Hamburg to TV 2 Nettavisen. “It is of course possible that it was fake, but we do not know that for certain yet.” 

Vahldiecker confirms that they received information regarding the planned terror attack from American sources, but he said that he did not believe they provided fake information on purpose, if this might be the case. 

“It is possible that they gave us the wrong information, but it is not likely that they did it on purpose,” Vahldiecker said. 

However, that notion is not supported by German intelligence. According to our sources, they are surprised both by the way the case has been handled and by the large leaks to the press. 

Lots of mistakes
Only a couple of hours after CIA had given the tip to German police, the case was reported on Der Speigel Online. Ansar al-Islam was named as the most likely organization behind the terror attempt. 

In addition, sources at German intelligence points out that there are several factual mistakes in the terror tip given to Verfassungsschutz in Hamburg. 

According to information given by Norwegian intelligence, Norwegian authorities were also informed of the terror alarm in Hamburg due to Mullah Krakars former position as leader of Ansar al-Islam, in addition to Mullah Krekars activity on the Internet. 

Økokrim informed
Erling Grimstad, assistant director at Økokrim, the central unit for investigations of economic and environmental crime, stated to the Norwegian daily Aftenposten that he did not want to confirm or disprove that Norwegian authorities were contacted in connection with the terror alarm. 

Grimstad confirms that Økokrim is working with several foreign police authorities, but he does not wish to name what nations. 

According to information provided TV 2 Nettavisen, the information regarding the terror alarm in Hamburg was one of the main reasons why Mullah Krekar was arrested Friday January 3. The police allegedly feared that Mullah Krekar gave orders of suicide missions over the Internet. 

Not surprised
“I’m not surprised by this information,” said Brynjar Meling. Mullah Krekar’s lawyer, to TV 2 Nettavisen. “I have all along claimed that the terror alarm in Hamburg was the trigger for Økokrim’s arrest of Krekar . What other reason would it be for Økokrim to make the arrest at this time after such a long time since the charge was filed October 30.” 

He stated that he wished to present the information provided TV 2 Nettavisen in court. 

“This is important for us,” Mekling stated. “This indicates the type game Norwegian authorities have been exposed to in this case.” 

Copyright © 2003 TV2