Oslo: No regrets and pleads not guilty Philip Manshaus, who attacked Mosque. (ENNS/SM)
OSLO/ KARACHI (ENNS/MD) A Norwegian man suspected of killing his stepsister and opening fire at a Mosque near Oslo at the weekend was presented at a local court.
The terrorist, identified as 21-year old Philip Manshaus, appeared in the Oslo court with two black eyes and scrapes and bruises on his face, neck, and hands, probably obtained when he was overpowered at the mosque.
Police say he has “extreme right views” and “xenophobic positions”. The Norway incident comes amid a rise in white supremacy attacks around the world.
Manshaus is formally suspected of murder in the death of his 17-year-old stepsister, and of a “terrorist act” at the Al-Noor mosque on Saturday, allegations he has rejected.
In Norway, being formally named as a suspect is a step prior to indictment. Manshaus entered the courtroom smiling to cameras, wearing dark clothes, and his hair cut short.
Police asked the court to detain the suspect in custody in isolation for four weeks. The judge was expected to announce a decision later Monday.
Manshaus, meanwhile, asked to be released, his lawyer Unni Fries said after the hearing. “He rejects the allegations and exercises his right to not explain himself,” she said.
Manshaus is accused of entering the mosque in the affluent Oslo suburb of Baerum armed with at least two weapons and opening fire before being overpowered by a 65-year-old man who suffered minor injuries. Three worshippers were present in the mosque.
Hours after the attack, the body of a young woman was found in a home in Baerum and police on Sunday confirmed it was Manshaus’ 17-year-old stepsister.
According to local media, she was of Chinese origin and had been adopted by the companion of Manshaus’ father.
Shortly before the mosque attack, a person identifying himself as Philip Manshaus had posted a message on the EndChan forum calling for a “race war” to be taken from the internet into real life (“irl”).
The author said he was selected by “saint tarrant”, an apparent reference to the New Zealand mosque attack suspect Brenton Tarrant, accused of killing 51 people in attacks on two mosques in Christchurch in March.
The post ended with the words “Valhalla awaits,” a reference to the afterlife for those who have died in battle in Norse mythology.
EndChan confirmed on Twitter that a man “claiming to be the Oslo shooter” had posted material on the forum.
The attacker was told not happy with migrants/settlers (people coming from other countries, opting citizenship).
