Fatal attack in Norway: suspect has to be remanded in custody

After the fatal attack in the Norwegian city of Kongsberg, the suspect was held in custody for at least four weeks under medical supervision. There are increasing doubts about the man’s sanity.

The man who is said to have killed five people in Kongsberg, Norway, has to be in custody for four weeks. That was decided by the court in Buskerud. He is supposed to spend the first two weeks in isolation. In addition, the court imposed a ban on visits, the media and letters.

However, it cannot be assumed that the 37-year-old Dane will spend his pre-trial detention in prison. The prosecutor told the Norwegian newspaper “Verdens Gang” that the man was now being looked after by doctors. The man has admitted that he attacked several people with bows and arrows and other weapons in Kongsberg on Wednesday evening.

Suspicion of terrorism weakened in the meantime

The security service of the Norwegian police initially classified the act as a terrorist act, but later weakened the suspicion. After the interrogations with the police, doubts arose as to his sanity. People around the man told the Norwegian broadcaster NRK that the man had been suffering from mental health problems for a long time and had been an outsider even as a teenager. The man’s lawyer said that his client should be examined by forensic psychiatrists.

In the meantime, the police announced further details about the course of events. Accordingly, two officers met the perpetrator for the first time in a supermarket. They were fired at with arrows and were not in a position from which to shoot him, a police spokesman said. While the officers were getting protective clothing, the perpetrator managed to escape.

Visit by the Prime Minister and Minister of Justice

After that, the man continued walking through the city center and also entered apartments, where he killed people. Police suspect all five victims were killed after the man first met with police. Prosecutor Ann Irén Svane Mathiassen told TV2 that there was no evidence that he planned the act. “There is also nothing to suggest that there was a situation in the store that triggered this.” Further interrogations are not planned for the time being.

In the afternoon, the new Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Justice Minister Emilie Enger Mehl are expected in Kongsberg. Hundreds of candles and flowers were placed in the city center. Mayor Kari Anne Sand spoke of a tragic deed that the community will carry with it for many years.