The trial commenced in Norway for a man accused of aggravated terrorism for a shooting at an LGBTQ+ festival in Oslo's nightlife district. The incident, which took place on June 25, 2022, resulted in two fatalities and nine individuals sustaining serious injuries at three locations, notably outside the London Pub, a popular gay bar.
The accused, a 44-year-old Norwegian citizen originally from Iran named Zaniar Matapour, allegedly discharged 10 rounds with a machine gun and eight shots with a handgun into a crowd. The prosecutor revealed that Matapour had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group.
Following the shooting, bystanders managed to detain Matapour. Subsequently, the authorities canceled a Pride parade due to security concerns. Matapour has chosen not to cooperate with investigators and could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted.
During the proceedings at Oslo District Court, Matapour questioned the timing of the trial, which coincided with the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. The judge responded that there was no conflict in conducting the case during Ramadan.
Matapour was born in Iran to parents of Kurdish descent, and the family sought refuge in Norway when he was 12 years old. The shooting incident has deeply shocked Norway, a country known for its low crime rate but has experienced isolated attacks in recent years, including the tragic mass shooting in 2011 where a right-wing extremist claimed the lives of 77 individuals in Oslo and on the island of Utoya.
