Two court-appointed experts will present their psychiatric evaluation of Arfan Bhatti on Friday. The experts concluded Bhatti is criminally responsible for his actions. This means he could face prison time if found guilty in the Oslo terror attack case.
The evaluation also determined Bhatti meets the clinical criteria for psychopathy. Both a psychologist and psychiatrist reached this conclusion independently. Their findings come from extensive psychological testing and interviews.
Bhatti faces charges related to the June 2022 shooting in Oslo's nightlife district. Two people died and multiple others suffered injuries in the attack. The case has drawn significant attention across Norway.
Legal experts note that psychopathy findings rarely affect criminal responsibility rulings in Norway. The justice system typically holds psychopaths accountable for their crimes. This evaluation could however influence sentencing considerations if Bhatti gets convicted.
The timing of this psychiatric report comes as the trial enters its final phases. Prosecutors have built their case around Bhatti's alleged planning and execution of the violence. Defense attorneys have questioned the reliability of some evidence.
What does this mean for the trial's outcome? The psychopathy diagnosis doesn't automatically determine guilt or innocence. Norwegian courts will weigh all evidence before reaching a verdict in this high-profile case.