Norway
Oslo commemorates attack victims with church service
In memory of the victims: flowers, rainbow flags and signs are at the crime scene. Photo: Martin Solhaug Standal/NTB Scanpix/dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
It was possibly an Islamist terrorist attack that left two dead and more than 20 injured. A service was held today to commemorate the victims.
After a terrorist attack possibly motivated by Islamism, a service was held in Oslo to commemorate the victims.
“We gathered in grief, desperation and powerlessness,” said Dean Anne-May Grasaas at the fair in the Norwegian capital’s cathedral, as the newspaper “Verdens Gang” reported. Two people were killed and more than 20 injured in the attack in a bar district. Grasaas said that the diversity that the country had fought for was also attacked.
The attacker fired shots around a popular gay bar on Saturday night. The Norwegian secret service PST classifies the attack as an Islamist terrorist attack. The alleged attacker, a 42-year-old Norwegian with Iranian roots, was arrested. The investigation is ongoing.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Crown Princess Mette-Marit also attended the service. According to media reports, Crown Prince Haakon had to cancel due to a corona infection.
Prime Minister Støre called on the population to turn against hatred and to continue to stand up for a diverse society. He assured the Muslims in Norway that they were part of the community. He knows that many of them are dismayed that the attacker is said to have acted out of Islamist motives.