Oslo: Right-wing extremist kills 35-year-old employee; questioned in the presence of a psychiatrist
According to the Norwegian news outlet NRK, Norwegian police have revealed details of a crime that occurred in Oslo on Sunday, in which an employee of a youth welfare organization was murdered. Officials stated that the suspect, an 18-year-old man, told investigators that the motive was political and that he had far-right leanings.
The motive was political, and the accused has not yet been charged with terrorism.
Police confirmed that the suspect confessed during questioning that the crime was politically motivated. Oslo police Inspector Grete Lien Metlid stated that the young man linked the crime to his far-right ideology. Metlid explained that the prosecution has not yet filed terrorism charges against him, but continues to assess the situation as the investigation progresses.
Maitland indicated that police had received warnings since March about the suspect's radicalization and drift towards the far right. She added that the suspect was known to security services and that he would appear in court on Monday for a remand hearing.
Prior knowledge from the security apparatus
The Norwegian Security Service (PST) also announced that the suspect was known to them prior to the crime. Media advisor Eirik Veum stated in a press release to NRK that their knowledge of him stemmed from his previous expression of far-right views.
The accused was questioned in the presence of a psychiatrist.
He explained that investigators conducted the interrogations in the presence of a psychiatrist to assess his mental state. NRK reported that the young man holds another European nationality but grew up in Norway.
Details of the crime at a care facility
The crime occurred in the Kampen neighborhood of Oslo. At 1:15 a.m. on Sunday, police received a report from a neighbor about a disturbance at a youth welfare facility. Upon arrival, they found a woman in her mid-thirties with serious injuries, but attempts to save her life were unsuccessful, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police confirmed that the suspect, a resident of the facility, was not present when they arrived, but they later arrested him in the city center without resistance.
Reactions from the family and the institution
Anette Skjerven Arnkværn, the family's lawyer, said the victim's relatives are living in shock and deep grief, and want to know exactly what happened.
For her part, Line Skavhaug, executive director of the Gemt Foundation, stated that what happened was a great tragedy, emphasizing that their thoughts are with the victim's family. She explained that the foundation provides training for young people to help them transition to a more independent life.
Procedures in Oslo Municipality
The Oslo municipality announced the formation of a crisis cell to deal with the aftermath of the crime, while the Bjerke municipality – which places some young people in the institution – sent its deepest condolences to the victim's family. Lise Schellenberg, acting director of the children and youth sector, said it was essential to review the assessments related to the case once the investigation is complete.
Statements by the suspect's lawyer
The young man's lawyer, Petter Mandt, said his client had fully cooperated with the police and answered all their questions. However, he added that the case documents remained confidential and that his client had not yet been asked whether he pleaded guilty.
