Oslo Cancels Pride Parade Following Deadly Shooting
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Norway's Oslo canceled its annual Pride Parade over the weekend following a deadly shooting outside a bar in the capital's nightlife district popular with the LGBTQ+ community. Two male victims, reported to be in their 50s and 60s, died in the shooting that happened in the early hours of Saturday morning. Another 21 people were wounded, including 10 seriously.
The country paid tribute to the victims of Saturday’s shooting at special memorial service attended by the country’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, other government ministers, church leaders and mourners yesterday. The altar and aisles of the Norwegian capital’s cathedral were reported to be draped with rainbow flags for the memorial service for the victims.
The fatal shootings “would not halt the fight against discrimination, prejudice and hate,” stated Norway’s PM Jonas Gahr Støre. He also raised the country's terror alert level from 'moderate' to 'extraordinary' after the weekend’s shooting.
The suspect, accused of murder, attempted murder and terrorism, is reported to be known to the police authorities since 2015 as a member of an Islamist network in Norway. The Norwegian citizen of Iranian origin was detained within minutes after he began shooting. A Norwegian court today identified the 42-year-old suspect as Zaniar Matapour, a Norwegian citizen of Iranian origin, as the city prepares for a demonstration of solidarity to honour the victims later today (Monday), confirmed Reuters today.
Despite being a relatively safe country, it’s not the first time Norway has experienced violent attacks by right-wing extremists, including one of the worst mass shootings in Europe. Back in 2011, a gunman killed 69 people on the island of Utoya, and another eight victims after setting off a bomb in Oslo.
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