Man in 20s charged with eight attacks on women in Oslo region

A 20-year-old man has been arrested and charged with eight separate attacks on women—including attempted sexual assault—in Oslo, Asker, and Bærum, Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet reports. The incidents, spanning from December 2025 to April 2026, have left local communities on edge, particularly after two elderly women were assaulted in the normally quiet Rykkinn area.

Police prosecutor Erlend Enquist-Jensen confirmed the charges on Friday, stating that the man is suspected of one attempted aggravated sexual assault and seven counts of assault against women aged 26 to 93. Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage and have not ruled out additional charges. “We are prioritising these cases highly,” Enquist-Jensen said, adding that forensic experts have interviewed the suspect, with a formal statement expected within days.

Two of the attacks occurred in Rykkinn, Bærum: an 82-year-old woman was assaulted on 28 March, and a 93-year-old woman on 16 April. One incident took place in an underpass near a popular walking trail frequented by elderly residents. The suspect’s defence lawyer, Brit Kjelleberg, stated that her client “does not admit guilt” to the charges but declined to comment further on the expanded allegations.

Local residents described growing unease in the wake of the attacks. One woman, who wished to remain anonymous, told Dagbladet she encountered the suspect shortly after one of the assaults while walking her dog. She initially mistook the weapon he carried—a club—for a baseball bat. “There was something threatening about the way he approached,” she said. After reading news reports, she contacted police, adding: “Everyone becomes anxious when something like this happens. People started walking their dogs in groups.”

The suspect was arrested on 18 April near Rykkinn shopping centre. Police have seized several items believed to be connected to the attacks but have not disclosed specifics. The investigation remains ongoing.