TRONDHEIM — Norwegian police dismissed a complaint against Bassam Hussein on July 9, 2026. The complaint concerned remarks Hussein made during a lecture on April 21, 2026, organized by the Socialist Forum. Hussein, a project management professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, referred to the October 7 attacks as "the most beautiful thing that has happened in our century." The activist group StoppNRK subsequently lodged a complaint against Hussein with Norwegian police.

Investigator Arild Hansen and Prosecutor Sunniva Tronvoll notified StoppNRK of the dismissal. The police stated in a letter that the reported conduct was "not considered a criminal offense." The police also informed StoppNRK that the dismissal decision could be appealed to the nearest higher prosecuting authority within three weeks.

Vikas Thakur, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at NTNU, clarified that the university was not responsible for the event, as it took place at a venue outside the university campus. Thakur emphasized that Hussein was speaking as an individual. "He spoke as an individual citizen with a background from Gaza, not on behalf of the university," Thakur said. When asked if NTNU viewed the statements as glorification of terror, Thakur stated, "We understand that the statement may be perceived that way."

On Elpeleg, the head of StoppNRK, reacted to the police's decision. "This effectively means that the genocidal organization Hamas, in theory and in practice, is de facto accepted in Norway," Elpeleg said. He indicated plans to appeal the decision, stating, "We must appeal this decision. It is no longer safe for Jews — or others — in Norway."