Norway’s domestic security service questions MP Simen Velle over death threats

Norway’s Police Security Service (PST) has questioned Progressive Party (FrP) MP Simen Velle as part of an investigation into death threats made against him and his family, Dagbladet reports.

A PST spokesperson confirmed to the newspaper that Velle had been interviewed in connection with threats received after his political adviser, Hårek Hansen, made controversial remarks about Pakistani immigrants. Hansen had described them as “minus variants” and suggested they should not have children in Norway.

Velle reported the threats to police on Sunday, stating on Facebook that both he and his immediate family had received death threats, including references to Swedish criminal networks. “No politician deserves to experience this,” he wrote, adding that the threats had left him and his family feeling unsafe.

The PST launched its investigation on Monday, citing potential violations of Norway’s penal code on threats. “Based on the messages sent to MP Simen Velle, PST has decided to initiate an investigation,” prosecutor Line Nyvoll Nygaard stated in an email to Dagbladet. The probe will include further questioning of Velle and other investigative steps.

FrP leader Sylvi Listhaug has publicly distanced the party from Hansen’s remarks, calling them “contrary to both FrP’s policies and our view of humanity.” Hansen has been reported to police, and the party has opened internal disciplinary proceedings.

Velle has declined to comment further on the case.