Alleged Islamist attack – Norway declares the highest terror warning level
Police investigate after attack on nightclub on suspicion of terrorism
After the fatal shooting in front of a nightclub in Oslo, the police assume a terrorist background to the crime. This was announced by the police in the Norwegian capital.
The queer scene wanted to celebrate the first big Pride parade in Oslo since the beginning of the Corona pandemic. But then shots were fired. Two people were killed and at least 21 injured, ten seriously. It is now also being investigated because of suspicion of terrorism.
Nfter the fatal shooting in Oslo, Norway raised its national terror alert level to the highest level. The risk of a terrorist threat is “extraordinarily” high, said the Norwegian secret service PST on Saturday, as reported by broadcaster NRK. Authorities chief Roger Berg said that the act, with two fatalities and at least 21 injuries, was viewed as an Islamist-motivated terrorist attack. Terrorism alert level five now applies. So far it was level three.
In the center of the Norwegian capital, a suspected lone gunman shot and killed two people on Saturday night. At least 21 others were injured, according to the police, ten of them seriously.
It is now also being investigated because of suspicion of terrorism. Inspector Tore Soldal said hate crimes are strongly suspected. The attacker is said to be a Norwegian with Iranian roots. He was arrested during the night. The suspect has a “long history of violence and threats,” said PST boss Berg.
The nightclub “London Pub” – the main target of the attacks – is considered a popular meeting place for gays, lesbians and other members of the queer scene in Oslo. On its own website, the club describes itself as the city’s best “gay bar” and “gay headquarters since 1979”. Actually, many wanted to celebrate there into the weekend: On Saturday, after cancellations due to the corona pandemic, a “Pride Parade” should have taken place in Oslo for the first time – it was canceled again.
The act caused horror in Norway. Flowers were laid in downtown Oslo
Credit: AFP/OLIVIER MORIN
The “London Pub” was not the only crime scene – shots were also fired in other places in the party mile. During the night, the police arrested a suspect near the scene of the crime. Civilians who were present would have helped.
Investigator Christian Hatlo told the Norwegian newspaper “VG” that the 42-year-old had previously committed a criminal offense. He was sentenced to several months in prison for drug offenses. During the night, the police searched his home. Investigators wanted to comment on the details on Saturday afternoon.
The act caused horror in Norway. King Harald V (85) called on his countrymen to stand together. It is important to uphold common values such as freedom, diversity and respect for one another so that everyone can feel safe. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre expressed his condolences to the victims’ families after a “cruel and deeply shocking attack”.
The social democrat assured the queer community: “We stand by your side.” Former conservative prime minister Erna Solberg said the freedom to love whoever you like had been attacked.
The organizers of Oslo’s “Pride Parade”, who actually wanted to celebrate their 40th parade on Saturday, canceled the entire event on the advice of the police. “We will soon be proud and visible again,” said “Pride” boss Kristin Haugsevje. But now you want to stop and send love and good wishes to the relatives of the victims.
Oslo Mayor Marianne Borgen only reported on Friday evening how much the city was looking forward to the parade after years of the pandemic. Rain bean flags still lined the whole of Oslo on Saturday – not only restaurants and bars, but also embassies and official buildings.
The 40th Pride Parade was to take place in Oslo on Saturday
Source: via REUTERS
On the eve of the planned spectacle, there had already been celebrations in many places in the city late into the night. Even just before midnight it was not quite dark on the June night. In the “London Pub” the exuberant mood turned to panic after the first shots were fired.
An eyewitness told NRK that he fled inside and took as many people with him as possible.
On Saturday morning there was a lot of barrier tape on the celebration mile in the center instead of “Pride” costumes. The police cordoned off the area around the “London Bar” on a large scale. The Norwegian secret service PST wrote on Twitter that there were no signs of further planned acts of violence.