Police report serious violence between russ groups in Oslo area

Since 16 May, groups of graduating students from Fredrikstad and Sarpsborg have repeatedly chased and assaulted students from Oslo using blunt weapons, police said. Police attorney Eric Lindset told Dagbladet the incidents involve serious violence resulting in bodily harm and are being treated as very serious. Two people have sustained extensive injuries. No arrests have been made, but police said they have identified one of two suspected perpetrators.

The attacks occurred at night at Tryvann, Alnabru, Gaustad, and Hvervenbukta. The perpetrators carried various types of impact weapons. Lindset said the phenomenon has been observed over several years and involves individual russ, not the group as a whole. Police warned they may confiscate russ buses and ban participants from meeting other russ.