Teen Suspected in Gay Couple Knife Attack and Hate Crime Released from Prison
A 17-year-old is once again at large, freed from prison just days after being rearrested for allegedly being part of a mob that stabbed a gay couple on Tjuvholmen, Oslo last August. The teenager was reportedly involved in a armed robbery at Storo shopping center on the same night as the attack.
"I can confirm he was released on Tuesday afternoon," stated police prosecutor Henrik Kveine to Avisa Oslo. The teen, known for his involvement in prior hate crimes, was supposed to begin serving a youth sentence from a previous conviction the following day. However, he was found violating his probation by being present at Deichmanske Library with a group of other teenagers on the same night as the alleged robberies.
"He was with other young people, some of whom are also believed to be involved in the Storo center robbery," Kveine mentioned. The teen has been ordered to stay away from Oslo’s city center, an order he clearly breached. Earlier, he was caught carrying a large combat knife at Oslo Central Station on New Year’s Eve, leading to his initial imprisonment.
Now, Oslo police wish to keep the teen in custody until the Tjuvholmen case goes to trial, citing recurring criminal behavior as their primary concern.
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