Mosque attack suspect ordered to stay in detention

COPENHAGEN — The suspected gunman accused in an attempted terrorist attack on an Oslo mosque and the separate killing of his teenage stepsister was ordered jailed Monday in pretrial detention for four weeks.

Philip Manshaus, 21, did not speak in court, and his defense lawyer Unni Fries told the Associated Press he “will use his right not to explain himself for now.”

Manshaus was arrested Saturday after entering a mosque in Baerum, an Oslo suburb, where three men were preparing for Sunday’s Eid alAdha Muslim celebrations. Police said he was waving weapons and several shots were fired but did not specify what type of weapon was used. One person was slightly injured before people inside the AlNoor Islamic Center held the suspect down until police arrived on the scene.

Police then raided Manshaus’ nearby house and found the body of his 17yearold stepsister. He is also suspected in her killing, police said, but did not provide details.

After Monday’s hearing, which was held behind closed doors, Fries said her client “does not admit criminal guilt.” The Oslo District Court ordered him held for four weeks, including two weeks in solitary confinement, while police investigate.

The head of Norway’s domestic security agency, Hans Sverre Sjoevold, said Monday officials had received a “vague” tip a year ago about the suspect, but it was not sufficient to act because officials had no information about any “concrete plans” of attack.

The suspect’s lawyer declined to comment on Norwegian media reports that Manshaus was inspired by shootings in March in New Zealand, where a gunman killed 51 people, and on Aug. 3 in El Paso, Texas, which left at least 22 dead.