Norwegian security service expects threats ahead of Oslo Pride

The Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) anticipates an increase in threats and hate speech in the lead-up to this year’s Oslo Pride but has no indications of planned violent attacks, according to a new threat assessment.

In a report presented at the Safety Conference in Oslo on Saturday, PST noted a decline in threats against LGBTQ+ individuals since 2023 and stated there is currently no evidence of violent plots targeting Pride events or other queer gatherings in Norway.

“However, we expect threats and hateful statements to emerge, particularly in the run-up to Pride month in June,” said Caroline Cecilie Iwarsson of PST in a press release. She added that while Pride events in the West are rarely targeted by terrorism, other groups remain at higher risk.

PST’s investigations over the past three years have found no credible intent behind threats against LGBTQ+ events. The Safety Conference, first held in 2024, was initiated by Oslo Pride and Norway’s Ministry of Justice and Emergency Preparedness, with over 30 organisations participating.

The assessment follows the 2022 Oslo Pride shooting, in which two people were killed and several injured. In January, Arfan Bhatti was convicted by Oslo District Court of complicity in the attack, receiving a 30-year preventive detention sentence, though he has appealed the ruling.