18-year-old German citizen charged with murder and terrorism in Oslo – PST had knowledge since 2024
An 18-year-old German citizen is charged with the terror-motivated murder of Tamima Nibras Juhar on Kampen in Oslo. The PST received its first warning about the man as early as February 2024.
18-year-old charged with terror and murder in Oslo – PST warned over a year before the incident
An 18-year-old German citizen is charged with murder with terrorist intent after Tamima Nibras Juhar (34) was killed on Kampen in Oslo during the night to Sunday. This is reported by nrk.no. The accused denies guilt for any of the charges in the indictment.
Police prosecutor Philip Green stated at a press conference on Monday that the charges have been expanded to include section 131 of the Criminal Code, cf. section 275 – murder with terrorist intent.
– As the case stands now, we believe he intended to create fear among part of the population. That is also the reason he is now charged under the terrorism provision, said Green.
The accused is said to have expressed that he had the intention to harm multiple persons, and has himself stated that the act is politically motivated.
PST received first warning in February 2024
The Police Security Service (PST) received its first tip about the 18-year-old in February 2024, over a year before the murder took place. The warning came from another part of the country than Oslo.
– The person now charged is someone PST has been aware of, said Lars Lilleby, head of counterterrorism at PST, at the press conference.
PST subsequently carried out a new internal assessment and concluded that the man still did not pose a threat. Later, the service received information from Oslo police district that the 18-year-old held right-wing extremist views – something that aligned with existing concerns, but which did not change PST's threat assessment.
Towards the end of summer, the 18-year-old was again discussed by PST and Oslo police district, this time together with other individuals there were concerns about. It was agreed that these individuals would be taken up at the next regular cooperation meeting between the two agencies.
– In this category in our systems there are well over 3,000 persons, said Lilleby.
He emphasised that the terror threat in Norway has not been raised as a result of the murder, and that it continues to be characterised as moderate.
Oslo police received warning report in March
Oslo police district also received a warning report about the 18-year-old. It came in March and concerned right-wing extremist views, stated Chief of Police Ida Melbo Øystese.
– Then it is important for us to find out whether he has what we call the intention and capacity to commit violent acts, she told NRK.
The police initiated youth follow-up that the 18-year-old had previously consented to. Øystese stated that the level of concern was reduced for a period, but that it had recently increased again.
– There are limited tools available to the police against an action that has not yet occurred, said the Chief of Police.
Remanded in custody for four weeks
On Monday afternoon, the accused was remanded in custody for four weeks with restrictions on mail and visits. Two of the weeks are in isolation. The custody hearing was held behind closed doors at the request of the police.
– The reason we request closed doors is that we fear what he will communicate to the press if present, argued police prosecutor Green.
The police feared that the accused would use the opportunity to communicate something via the press that could damage the investigation. The accused himself wished for open doors.
– He has a desire to be able to communicate his views, said defence counsel Petter Mandt after the hearing.
Mandt confirmed that the 18-year-old does not admit guilt, either for the original or the expanded charges.
The victim was employed where the accused lived
Tamima Nibras Juhar was born in Ethiopia in 1991 and came to Norway in 2008. She was employed in a reinforced residential support scheme where the accused lived.
– She was Muslim, stated police prosecutor Green.
According to NRK's information, she had sustained extensive stab and cut wounds. The police stated that they believe they have control of the murder weapon, and ruled out that it was a firearm.
Anette Skjerven Arnkværn from the Elden law firm has been appointed as representative counsel for the bereaved.
– They are naturally in shock and grief. They are very concerned with finding out what happened, she told NRK.
PST reviews its own assessments
Justice Minister Astri Aas-Hansen says the murder has shaken everyone, and believes it is positive that PST will review the assessments that were made around the 18-year-old.
– I expect this work to be taken most seriously and given priority. The bereaved need answers, and we need answers. People in Norway should be safe and feel safe, said the minister.
PST Director Lilleby confirmed that the service is now going back through its history to assess whether something could have been done differently.
– When such a serious incident occurs, it is natural that PST goes back and sees whether there is something we could have done differently, he said.
Extremism researcher Kathrine Torleifson at the University of Oslo pointed out that children as young as 12–13 years old can be active in right-wing extremist environments on the internet.
Source: Google News NO — Crime