Three charged over Bergen May 17 violence as one admits guilt

Three people have been formally charged with aggravated assault following a widely circulated violent incident in central Bergen on Norway’s Constitution Day, May 17, NRK reports. A fourth remains under suspicion as the investigation continues.

One of the accused, a 17-year-old, has confessed through his lawyer, Alexander Gonzalo Sele. “He has fully admitted his actions and takes complete responsibility,” Sele told Dagbladet. “He makes no attempt to shift blame onto the victim and understands there will be consequences.”

The assault gained national attention after mobile phone footage—showing four young men repeatedly kicking and punching a Belarusian man—was shared on social media. Police prosecutor Linn Mari Søfteland confirmed that officers have interviewed the three charged individuals, the victim, and two witnesses.

“Something occurred before the recording begins,” Søfteland said, declining to specify what triggered the attack. “The accounts of what happened differ between the victim, witnesses, and suspects, but the violence captured on video is in no way acceptable.”

The investigation remains active, with further questioning of the fourth suspect pending.