A recently published report by seven experts has revealed that the Norwegian police could have prevented a tragic shooting rampage at a gay bar in Oslo if they had acted on a tip-off provided by the country’s foreign intelligence agency. The report, commissioned by the police, described the findings as “devastating,” shedding light on the potential for averting the incident that claimed two lives, left nine individuals with gunshot wounds, and injured 25 others.
The London Pub, a cherished establishment within Oslo’s LGBTQ+ community, was the targeted location of the attack. Alongside a nearby bar in the heart of the Norwegian capital, it bore witness to the horrifying events that unfolded. The group of experts, composed of professionals specializing in various fields such as policing, communications, and psychiatry, concluded that the attack might have been avoided had the Police Security Service (PST) acted upon a warning they received from the foreign intelligence agency, known as the e-service, just five days prior.
The report also highlighted the missed opportunity to prevent the shooter, who was already known to the security police, from carrying out the attack in the months leading up to the incident. Additionally, PST failed to share the crucial intelligence about the perpetrator with the police officers responsible for surveilling radicalized individuals, further exacerbating the tragic consequences.
“This is a devastating report,” expressed Raymond Johansen, the governing mayor of Oslo, during an interview with public broadcaster NRK. He firmly stated that the revelations were “completely unacceptable,” emphasizing the need for accountability and remedial actions. PST, in response to the report, extended their apologies to the victims, their families, and the nation as a whole.
Beate Gangaas, Chief of PST, acknowledged the agency’s mistaken assessments and the repercussions that followed, expressing her commitment to internal follow-up procedures based on the commission’s recommendations. The suspected shooter, Zaniar Matapour, a 43-year-old Norwegian citizen of Iranian origin, was apprehended by courageous attendees mere minutes after the attack. Described as a radicalized Islamist with a history of mental illness, Matapour faces charges of murder, attempted murder, and terrorism, although his plea remains uncertain at this time.
As the LGBTQ+ community prepares to mark the one-year anniversary of the devastating attack on June 25, followed by the annual Pride celebration from June 23 to July 1, the city of Oslo has already raised rainbow flags in schools and public buildings, displaying solidarity and resilience in the face of adversity.