Police want to investigate possible mistakes

by time news

NFollowing the allegedly Islamist-motivated attack in downtown Oslo on Saturday morning, attention is now focused on possible mistakes made by the security authorities. The leadership of the police and the domestic secret service PST announced on Monday that the process surrounding the alleged perpetrator would be checked up to and including the shooting. A joint committee will be set up for this purpose. How this will be filled is still open. In view of the severity of the case, it is very important to be able to quickly identify possible weaknesses and errors and take action, both authorities said.

Matthias Wyssuwa

Political correspondent for northern Germany and Scandinavia based in Hamburg.

Early on Saturday morning, Zaniar M., whose age was initially given as 42 and then 43, opened fire in front of a well-known gay bar and also shot in the nearby area. Two men were killed and 21 people injured. According to the Norwegian media, Justice Minister Emilie Enger Mehl also called for an assessment of the police and the PST secret service on Monday.

Terrorist investigation

The police had known the alleged perpetrator for many years because of numerous investigations, including dangerous bodily harm and drug possession. The PST secret service had also announced that it had been observing Zaniar M. since 2015. It was about the radicalization of the Norwegian with Iranian roots and his contacts with an Islamist network.

M. is now being investigated for murder, attempted murder and terror. He was arrested shortly after the crime and initially refused to speak to investigators. Police are still pursuing several hypotheses about the motive, including a possible hate crime against homosexuals – the attack took place the night before the planned and later canceled Pride parade in the Norwegian capital.

The PST classified the act as an Islamist terrorist attack. Several thousand people were expected to attend a rally in Oslo’s City Hall Square on Monday evening. A sign of diversity and tolerance should be set there.

You may also like

Leave a Comment