A Pakistani-Norwegian couple and their son, all charged in a triple murder believed to have been carried out in Pakistan, will remain partly in isolation for four more weeks, an Oslo court ruled on Tuesday.
The three, all residents of Oslo but not Norwegian residents, were arrested and charged as accessories to murder in May following a major police operation in Oslo. All denied having anything to do with the murders. The victims reportedly included the husband of the couple’s daughter.
The murders appear related to a disagreement over a divorce, and reportedly took place during a failed attempt to settle the matter.
The suspects will be denied visitors, written communication with the outside world, and access to media. The court justified its decision with the need to protect evidence and allow investigators more time to analyze the complex case.
“The police needs a bit of time to secure and analyze incoming information with an eye to further investigation of the suspects and confront them with the data we have obtained,” police prosecutor Leif Morten Eide told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK).
Tuesday’s court hearing took place behind closed doors, with the charged 64-year old father reportedly speaking through an interpreter. His defense attorney, Bendik Falck-Koslung, requested the release of his client, arguing that the prosecution’s case “has not been strengthened” since the father was first arrested.
In all six persons are involved in the case. NRK reported that the main suspects are a 55-year old Pakistani-Norwegian man from Østfold, and another man. None of those men have been detained, but the 55-year old reportedly told NRK on Tuesday that he is now in Norway, having escaped from Pakistan. A sixth suspect, who is the father of the 55-year old, has been arrested in Pakistan.
newsinenglish.no staff
