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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Mosque attacker cites ‘political’ motive

UPDATED: The young Norwegian man who murdered his Chinese-born adopted step-sister and then attacked a local mosque in August was back in court for a new custody hearing on Monday. Philip Manshaus clarified for the first time why he won’t plead guilty to the terror charges against him, but the presiding judge initially banned the press from publishing them.

The ban, called a referatforbud, makes it illegal for journalists to report court testimony for various reasons. The judge later lifted the ban, allowing media to report how Manshaus opposes multicultural society and thinks it’s necessary to turn to violence when “the system or non-European foreigners won’t give up their power voluntarily.” He also thinks violence such as what he unleashed in August will become more common. His defense attorney merely told reporters that her 22-year-old client wanted to clarify his motive for his actions and was allowed to do so.

Manshaus made another Nazi salute upon entering the courtroom and seems to want to be viewed as a white supremacist willing to kill non-white people including his adopted step-sister. The judge ordered that he be held in remand custody for another four-weeks while the police continue their investigation into how Manshaus shot and killed his 17-year-old step sister at their home at Eiksmarka in suburban Bærum. He then headed for the mosque at Skui in Bærum, where he was quickly overmanned by three elderly Muslims, who held him until police arrived. No one was killed and only Manshaus himelf was injured, appearing badly bruised at his first court appearance.

Police are wrapping up their technical investigation of the incidents and believe Manshaus acted alone. A report on Manshaus’ mental health status is due later this week, to determine whether he’s capable of standing trial.

newsinenglish.no staff

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