Two Swedish teenagers charged in Økern murder – police seek masterminds
Two Swedish teenagers aged 15 and 16 are charged with the murder of a man in his twenties at the football pitch in Økern. Police suspect it was a contract killing.
Swedish teenagers charged in two countries – masterminds still at large
A man in his twenties was shot and killed at the football pitch in Økern on 26 April. Police suspect the murder was a contract killing, according to nrk.no.
"This is a very serious act that appears targeted. A natural part of further investigation is to examine whether there are any possible instigators and masterminds," police prosecutor Anne Marie Hustad told NRK.
The two charged are Swedish teenagers aged 15 and 16. Neither has previous convictions and they were not known to Swedish police beforehand. They were charged with the murder in Økern on Friday 1 May, the day after they were arrested in Sweden.
Arrested following shooting in Norrköping
On Thursday 30 April, the two teenagers were arrested in connection with a shooting incident on an open street in Norrköping. The victim was a man in his twenties who later died from his injuries. The motive for the shooting in Sweden is currently unknown.
According to SVT, one of the boys admits to being involved in the Norrköping murder but claims it was self-defence. Both were remanded in custody at Norrköping district court on Monday afternoon, held in custody until 4 June with the possibility of extension.
"They are charged with probable cause to suspect them of murder and serious weapons violations," wrote prosecutor Karin Sandén in an email to NRK.
Investigating travel route and masterminds
Norwegian police are now working to map how the two teenagers travelled to and from Norway. Police say they have "some information", but do not wish to give details for investigation reasons.
"We are beginning to get a picture of what happened around the incident," Hustad stated.
What specifically links the teenagers to the Økern murder is something police do not wish to comment on. According to Hustad, the charge is based on "a comprehensive investigation".
According to SVT, both boys are from the Karlstad area. Swedish police are working on a theory that the teenagers received the contract in Norrköping after the shooting in Oslo, but the instigators remain unknown.
Third teenager arrested – not suspected in Norway
On Monday, it became known that a third teenager has been arrested and charged in connection with the Norrköping murder. Hustad confirms to NRK that this person is not suspected in the Økern case.
"We have not charged anyone new after the two," she confirms.
Swedish prosecutor Sandén states that cooperation with Norwegian police cannot be commented on in further detail at this time.
"We will have to come back to that. Right now our focus is on the offences in Norrköping," she wrote.
NRK has been in contact with the Swedish defence lawyers for the charged individuals. None of them wished to comment on the case on Monday.
Source: Google News NO — Crime