Two teens charged with planning Oslo grenade attacks

Two teenagers have been charged with plotting to carry out grenade attacks at multiple locations in central Oslo, Dagbladet reports.

The 17- and 18-year-olds allegedly arranged via the encrypted messaging app Signal to receive and transport explosives for use in the attacks, according to prosecutors. The agreement was made before 26 September last year with individuals linked to the Swedish Foxtrot network, known by the aliases “Chicano” and “Joker”.

Prosecutors claim the plan involved throwing one or more grenades or conducting explosions at unspecified sites in the city centre. The teens were arrested on 15 October and held in custody for a month on suspicion of evidence tampering before being released.

Both deny the charges. The 17-year-old’s defence lawyer, Morten Furuholmen, declined to comment. Helene Haugland, representing the 18-year-old, stated her client “does not admit guilt” and would not provide further comment.

State prosecutor Arvid Malde filed the charges. The trial is scheduled for 17–18 August in Haugaland and Sunnhordland District Court.

Police have previously linked the case to a series of violent incidents in Oslo and surrounding areas last autumn, including a grenade attack in Pilestredet on 23 September and a shooting in Sarpsborg on 30 September. Another grenade explosion occurred in Strømmen on 6 October, followed by a shooting in Høybråten, Oslo, a month later.

Kripos has charged 21-year-old Ali Namdar as the alleged mastermind behind several violent acts, including the Pilestredet attack and the shootings in Sarpsborg and Høybråten. Investigators believe Namdar is the individual known as “Joker”.