Explosives discovered in garden prompt evacuation and arrest of Swedish man in East Fredrikstad, Norway
On Monday morning, several residents were evacuated after explosives were discovered in a garden in East Fredrikstad, Norway. Later that evening, a 28-year-old Swedish man was arrested in the same city. He has been charged with possession of explosives intended for committing a criminal act, although he denies any wrongdoing. Authorities theorize that the explosives may have been accidentally placed in the garden of an unsuspecting family with children.
On Friday, the man was remanded in custody for four weeks with restrictions on correspondence and visits. He will also be isolated from other inmates for the first two weeks.
Police technicians were on-site at the location where the explosives were found, and reports indicate that the man was apprehended at the Quality Hotel in downtown Fredrikstad. Witnesses mentioned that around five or six police officers entered the hotel and subsequently accessed one of the rooms.
The hotel gained some notoriety as it was previously used by suspects involved in a shooting incident in Moss last November, where a Swedish man in his thirties was shot multiple times in public.
The explosives were discovered by residents of the home in a quiet neighborhood who alerted law enforcement, leading to the involvement of bomb squad experts and forensic investigators who confirmed the presence of explosives. A family member expressed their frustration and fear over the incident, wondering how this could happen in their neighborhood.
The arrested individual has cooperated with police but reportedly remains in shock and unable to comprehend the situation. His attorney noted that he perceives the events as surreal and has a history of minor legal issues in Sweden.