Mehl extends border controls

‘I have now decided to extend border controls until 11 November 2024. This gives the police greater opportunity to obtain information about travellers and to carry out more checks at the border. The purpose is to assure protection against terrorism, especially terrorist activities against Jewish and Israeli individuals and institutions in Norway,’ says Minister of Justice and Public Security Emilie Mehl.

On 8 October 2024, the Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) raised the terror threat level in Norway from MODERATE (level 3) to HIGH (level 4) as a result of developments in the situation in the Middle East. It is primarily the threat to Jewish and Israeli interests that is elevated. On the same day, the National Police Commissioner gave the order that Norwegian police should be armed; internal border controls were introduced two days later. Ms Mehl is now extending the latter.

‘We are now extending the border controls for 20 days; however, I am not ruling out further extensions. The backdrop to my decision is the continuing heightened terrorist threat, seen in the light of events in Stockholm and Copenhagen. In addition, there is a possible link between foreign powers and the recruitment of criminal networks to carry out terrorist acts in Europe,’ says Ms Mehl.

In as far as possible, the police will facilitate smooth passage of border traffic.