Norway bans Satudarah motorcycle club, brands it a ‘criminal organization’ – The Irish News

Norway’s highest court has classified the Norwegian branch of the Dutch motorcycle club Satudarah as a criminal organization and banned the group, saying it was necessary to prevent serious crime.

The Supreme Court said the club’s members had “repeatedly committed serious violations against the life, health and freedom of people” and that their actions “were likely to cause fear among the population.”

The court added that while the Satudarah MC describes itself as a motorcycle club and is open to ethnic minorities, participants are not required to own a motorcycle to become a member.

“The club also does not aim to promote multi-ethnic interests,” it said.

Satudarah means “one blood” from Indonesian Malay.

There are two Satudarah chapters in Norway. The Supreme Court also said it described itself as a “so-called 1 percent club – a term usually used for motorcycle clubs that live on the side of society’s laws and rules.”

According to broadcaster NRK, Satudarah performed in Norway in 2014. In 2023, police asked the courts to ban Satudarah because of his criminal activities.

In 2015, Germany banned the club, which originated in the Netherlands but has branches in more than half a dozen countries in Europe and Asia.

The Netherlands eventually banned it. In neighboring Denmark, the local group disbanded in May 2023 and became Comanches MC.