Norwegian university management sees no grounds for expulsion of 2 researchers

The management of Norway's University of Agder said on Friday that they saw no grounds for the expulsion of two researchers out of Norway, the Norwegian broadcast company NRK reported.

A Chinese citizen, a research fellow doing his PhD study in wind power, and a professor in the university, the student's supervisor, had been ordered to leave Norway before Jan. 23.

Tor A. Aagedal, director of the university management, said he was surprised with the decision taken by the Norwegian authorities.

"We have examined the research and looked at the facts in the case. We can not see that there are grounds for expulsion," he said.

The NRK report said that the Norwegian authorities took the move out of fear that their expertise can be used "in military purposes in other countries."

Both the professor and the Chinese student have denied the allegations.

A Norwegian lawyer, representing the Doctoral candidate, said that his client did not understand why he was expelled.

The Norwegian Ministry of Justice has not responded to Xinhua's request for comment on the case. Endit