Terror suspects on trial in Oslo

Three men have gone on trial in Norway in the first case to be brought under anti-terror legislation introduced after the 11 September 2001 attacks.

The charges relate to a shooting at a synagogue in the capital Oslo, and to alleged plans to attack the US and Israeli embassies.

The prosecutor said he would present evidence including drawings and plans for rocket launchers.

All three men deny the charges and say the evidence against them is weak.

The main defendant is Arfan Bhatti, a 30-year-old Norwegian of Pakistani origin.

He is accused, along with another man, Ibrahim Oezbabacan, of firing several shots at the synagogue in September 2006. No-one was hurt in the shooting.

Mr Bhatti is also accused, along with a third person, Andreas Bog Kristiansen, of planning attacks on the embassies.

At the opening of the trial, prosecutor Andreas Christiansen said drawings and plans for rocket launchers had been found in 2006 and had led to Norwegian intelligence keeping Mr Bhatti under close surveillance.

Mr Bhatti's lawyer, John Christian Elden, said there was no evidence to connect him to any group that could be called terrorist.

He said that aggressive statements Mr Bhatti had made about the US and Israeli embassies were made lightly, and were not concrete threats.

"There is a long way between fleeting thoughts and (carrying out attacks) in practice," the lawyer said.