Norwegian prosecutors have concluded their case against Arfan Qadeer Bhatti, who faces charges of involvement in the deadly Oslo Pride terror attack. The 48-year-old stands accused of masterminding the June 2022 shooting that killed two people and injured many others outside popular LGBTQ+ venues.
During two months of testimony, prosecutors presented evidence they claim shows Bhatti provided crucial support to gunman Zaniar Matapour. The attack occurred when Matapour opened fire on people celebrating Pride in central Oslo. Two individuals lost their lives in the violence.
Lead prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø told the court this case involves a man who hates Norwegian values. He described how Bhatti connected with what he called an angry and vulnerable man in Matapour. The prosecution argues Bhatti served as the intellectual architect behind the violence.
Evidence includes extensive messaging between Bhatti and another terror suspect, Aisha Kausar. Both communicated with someone they believed represented ISIS. This contact turned out to be an undercover intelligence agent. Bhatti has admitted in court that he operated under the alias Shaheen47.
The defendant claims he only contacted ISIS to forward Matapour's oath of allegiance following the attack. He denies any involvement in planning the violence. Prosecutors reject this explanation, pointing to nine specific factors they say prove his complicity.
Norwegian terror investigation techniques came under scrutiny during the trial. The use of undercover agents to infiltrate suspected terror networks represents a common approach in Scandinavian counterterrorism efforts. Norway's security services have increasingly focused on preventing lone-wolf attacks since the 2011 Utøya massacre.
Bhatti's psychological evaluation revealed troubling findings. Court-appointed psychiatrists assessed him with a perfect score for psychopathy. He received 24 out of 24 possible points on the diagnostic evaluation. Experts noted traits of superficial charm, grandiosity, and lack of empathy.
Psychiatrist Gunnar Johannessen testified about Bhatti's psychological profile. He described a man who shows no remorse and avoids responsibility for his actions. This assessment could influence both the verdict and potential sentencing considerations.
Matapour, who received a 30-year sentence with a minimum 20-year term, testified in September. He claimed anger toward child protection services motivated his actions. He said he intended to target police and denied knowing London Pub was a popular gay venue.
Prosecutors challenged this account by presenting WhatsApp messages from a group called Matglede&Kvalitetstid. These communications showed both men using derogatory language about homosexuals. They also presented evidence of Bhatti posting images of burning rainbow flags on Facebook.
The prosecution alleges Bhatti provided multiple forms of support. This included psychological encouragement, planning advice, weapons acquisition assistance, and communication with terrorist organizations. They argue he bears responsibility for forwarding the bayah oath to ISIS.
Additional charges involve planning further attacks in Pakistan and Norway. These include alleged plots against the Norwegian embassy in Islamabad and the family of former Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg. Bhatti also faces accusations of planning to kidnap Norwegian journalists in Pakistan.
This case highlights Norway's ongoing challenges with extremist violence. The country maintains generally liberal social policies while confronting threats from both international terrorism and homegrown extremism. The trial continues as prosecutors prepare to present their sentencing recommendations.
The outcome could set important precedents for how Norwegian courts handle complex terror cases involving multiple defendants and international connections. Legal experts will watch closely as this case moves toward conclusion.