Europe crackdown on 'jihadist network'

Police have targeted 17 people in raids in several European countries connected to a suspected jihadist network.

Six suspects were detained in Italy, four in Britain, and three in Norway. Police believe some of the suspects may have travelled to Syria or Iraq.

Italy's Ansa news agency said the suspects were accused of international terrorism association.

The network was allegedly plotting to free its leader, Mullah Krekar, who is already in detention in Norway.

Krekar, born Najm Faraj Ahmad, is one of those held in the operation.

Two other suspects were arrested in Norway. The three of them are suspected of plotting attacks in Norway and other European countries, according to Italian police.

They face extradition to Italy.

Charlie Hebdo

Krekar, the Iraqi-Kurdish founder of the radical Islamic group, Ansar al-Islam, has served several jail sentences in recent years, including for praising the killing of staff at the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in January.

The anti-terrorism operation includedinvestigations in the UK, Norway, Finland, Germany and Switzerland, Italian police said.

Arrest warrants were issued for 17 people and 13 were arrested.

They are suspected of involvement in a group called Rawti Shax, described as a "terrorist organisation of Kurdish-Sunni origin".

Some suspects could not be located, as they are believed to have travelled to Syria and Iraq to join jihadist organisations.

Krekar came to Norway as a refugee in 1991.

He was jailed in 2012 for making death threats against officials and others.

He was arrested again in February 2015 after praising the Charlie Hebdo attack during a television interview.

The Norwegian authorities have been trying to deport him since 2003 after deeming him a threat to national security.

However, under Norwegian law, he cannot be deported to Iraq because he could face the death penalty.