Norway: Suspect in Pride Month attack won’t talk to police
politico.comAssociated Press 06/26/2022 04:24 PM EDT Link CopiedOSLO, Norway — The suspect in a mass shooting during an LGBTQ festival in Norway has refused to explain his actions to investigators and will remain in pretrial custody for the next four weeks, police and his defense lawyer said Sunday.The man, whom authorities described as a 42-year-old Norwegian citizen originally from Iran, — was arrested shortly after the shooting in Oslo’s nightlife district early Saturday.
He is being held on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and terrorism.Two people were killed and more than 20 were injured in what the Norwegian security service called an “Islamist terror act.”Oslo police said they tried to question the suspect on Saturday and again on Sunday without success.
Norwegian media identified him as Zaniar Matapour.Matapour’s defense lawyer, John Christian Elden, told The Associated Press by email that his client refused to have his statement recorded and videotaped unless police released the entire recording to the public “with no time delay so it won’t be censored or manipulated.”Recording interrogations is a standard police practice.Elden previously said his client did not deny being the shooter but had not divulged any motive.
The lawyer said Sunday that Matapour did not object to remaining in custody for four weeks so would not appear in court on Monday.In Norway, pre-trial detention hearings are normally held every four weeks.Norway’s prime minister and members of the royal family joined mourners at a memorial service Sunday at Oslo Cathedral for the victims of the attack.The gunman opened fire at three locations, including outside the London Pub, a popular gay bar in Oslo.
