OSLO, Norway -- Norwegian prosecutor Geir Evanger says an Iraqi-born cleric faces up to 20 years in prison for allegedly making death threats against politicians and encouraging suicide bombings.

The terror trial against 55-year-old Mullah Krekar, who came to Norway as a refugee in 1991, opens in Oslo District Court Wednesday.

After settling in Norway, Krekar founded the Kurdish Ansar al-Islam during visits to Iraq.

Ansar al-Islam is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States and suspected of organizing suicide bombings against coalition forces in Iraq.

Norway ordered Krekar deported in 2005 after declaring him a national security threat, but postponed the move because of worries he could face execution or torture in Iraq.