The man in his twenties from Kenya, who is charged with a series of assaults and acts of violence against women in the Oslo area, has been admitted for compulsory psychiatric observation. He may now be declared legally irresponsible.

The man in his twenties who is charged with assaults and violence against women in the Oslo area is being remanded in custody for four additional weeks. He has been admitted for compulsory psychiatric observation. This emerges from the latest court decision in Oslo District Court. The court also prohibits the press from naming the accused man, who is in his early twenties and of Kenyan origin.

The man is charged with nine cases of assault, frightening behaviour, and attempted rape by assault against women aged 26–93.

He is charged with two new offences while he has been in custody.

The court writes:

“The charges comprise several similar and serious offences committed within a short period of time, and that the accused is also charged with criminal acts committed while in custody.”

The matter began with him being charged with aggravated bodily violation and remanded in custody. Through, among other things, telecommunications data, the police have uncovered much evidence. Six new counts have been added to the indictment.

The most striking aspect, however, is that the prosecution authorities are now opening for the possibility that he “may be judged legally irresponsible” and has been subjected to compulsory observation. According to the ruling, it is proposed that he be transferred to “compulsory treatment pursuant to Section 3-3”, which would mean that yet another violent offender may end up in psychiatric care instead of being sentenced to punishment.

In the ruling, the district court judge concludes that “Responsibility for the accused cannot, in the court’s view, rest solely with the healthcare service”, and clearly expresses between the lines that the court is not entirely certain that psychiatry will keep him confined.

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