Oslo shooting treated as 'an act of Islamist terrorism'

Europe 1 with AFP 3:06 p.m., June 25, 2022

The Norwegian Domestic Intelligence Service (PST), which is responsible for counter-terrorism, announced on Saturday that it was treating as "an act of Islamist terrorism" the fatal shooting that occurred overnight near a gay bar in downtown Norway. 'Oslo.

Arrested shortly after the attack which left two dead and 21 injured, the suspect "has a long history of violence and threats" and the PST has had him on its radar "since 2015 in connection with concerns about his radicalization" and his membership "in an extremist Islamist network", said the head of the services, Roger Berg, during a press briefing

A suspect already known to the police

Oslo police had previously presented the suspect as a 42-year-old Norwegian of Iranian origin, known to the PST, but also for minor offenses.

According to Roger Berg, the intelligence services had spoken with him last month, but had not then judged that the person concerned had "violent intentions".

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The maximum alert triggered in Norway

The PST is also aware of "difficulties related to his mental health", he said.

The intelligence services have also raised the level of threats against the Scandinavian country, deeming the situation "extraordinary".