Norwegian police have released all suspects detained in connection with a kidnapping case tied to recent grenade attacks in eastern Norway. Authorities confirmed the latest release of a 28-year-old man on Tuesday. The man never provided statements to investigators and maintains his innocence. His lawyer stated the release did not come as a surprise given the current evidence.
The kidnapping involved a 24-year-old Norwegian-Vietnamese man taken from Oslo to Denmark in a taxi during mid-September. Police directly connect this abduction to grenade attacks that occurred in Oslo's Pilestredet area and at Strømmen in Akershus county. These locations represent significant urban centers where such violent incidents rarely occur.
Five men total face charges in the kidnapping investigation. Beyond the three now released, authorities seek contact with two additional suspects. One appears on international wanted lists while the other faces national arrest warrants. Last week saw another 29-year-old suspect released after police determined no further risk of evidence destruction existed. A taxi driver previously detained in the case has also been freed.
This development raises questions about Norway's approach to organized crime. The country typically experiences low rates of violent crime, making grenade attacks particularly alarming. Police appear to be proceeding cautiously with releases suggesting either evidentiary challenges or strategic investigative decisions. The international dimension involving cross-border movement to Denmark indicates potential transnational criminal connections.
Norway's legal system emphasizes proportional detention, requiring ongoing justification for holding suspects. These releases don't necessarily indicate case weakness but rather reflect standard procedural safeguards. The pattern suggests investigators may be building a broader case while avoiding premature charges. Similar kidnapping-grenade attack connections have emerged in other Nordic countries recently, pointing to possible regional criminal networks adapting their methods.
International readers should understand that such incidents remain extremely rare in Norway. The country maintains one of Europe's lowest crime rates despite this concerning case. The police response demonstrates systematic investigation rather than emergency measures. Further developments will likely depend on forensic analysis and international cooperation with Danish authorities.