By KRISTIAN KAHRS, Associated Press Writer

OSLO, Norway - Mullah Krekar, the leader of a Kurdish guerilla group suspected of links to al-Qaida, faced charges Friday of kidnapping and aiding terrorists.

In Oslo City Court, Norwegian prosecutors accused Krekar of transferring more than 1 million kroner (US$135,000) to Ansar al-Islam guerillas and developing a military organization in a foreign country.

Krekar, who commanded the Ansar al-Islam in northern Iraq (news - web sites), has denied the allegations. If convicted he faces up to 10 years in prison.

Judge Morten Bjone ordered the proceedings closed to the public shortly after Krekar entered the courtroom, citing the need to keep details of Norway's investigation secret. Krekar's lawyer, Brynjar Meling, had argued that proceedings should remain open.

The hearing was determining whether Krekar, who was arrested Thursday night, should be held in police custody while police continued to investigate the charges.

Norway's intelligence agency questioned Krekar last month when the rebel leader admitted he had ordered nine men to be detained briefly in Iraq in December 2001. He was released but had his passport confiscated to keep him from fleeing Norway.

Prosecutors can charge suspects for crimes that took place outside the country's borders, even if the suspect is not a Norwegian citizen.

Outside the courtroom Krekar's wife, Roshosh Ahmad, and their three children sought shelter from nearly 40 journalists. She told The Associated Press that police had stormed into their apartment Thursday night and kicked Krekar in the stomach as they arrested him.

"They said they wanted to talk to him," Ahmad said.

Krekar's uncle, Khalid Faraj Ahmad, was charged with resisting arrest during the raid.

Krekar, who had been given refugee status in this Nordic country of 4.5 million, was arrested in September 2002 in the Netherlands. He was released and returned to Norway.

In an interview broadcast Wednesday night on Dutch television, he said Ansar al-Islam would use suicide attacks to defend itself if U.S. troops invading Iraq went after the group.

The United Nations (news - web sites) has labeled Ansar al-Islam a terrorist organization and Washington believes some members of al-Qaida fleeing Afghanistan (news - web sites) joined the 500-strong group, which has been active in the mountains of northern Iraq near the border with Iran.

Rival Kurdish groups say Ansar also has ties to Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein (news - web sites), though some terrorism experts doubt the claims.

Krekar has denied any links to Hussein or al-Qaida, but acknowledged that he considers Osama bin Laden (news - web sites) a "good Muslim."

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