30-Year Sentence in Oslo Pride Shooting: Arfan Bhatti Convicted

A Norwegian court has sentenced Arfan Bhatti to 30 years for orchestrating a deadly shooting during Oslo's 2022 Pride celebrations. Bhatti was found guilty of terrorism complicity despite being in Pakistan during the attack. The verdict may be appealed as Bhatti remains criminally responsible according to psychiatric experts.

A Norwegian court sentenced Islamist man Arfan Bhatti to 30 years for orchestrating a deadly attack at a gay bar during Oslo's 2022 Pride celebrations. Bhatti, a Norwegian citizen, was found guilty of planning the attack while in Pakistan.

The attack saw two fatalities and eight injuries when gunman Zaniar Matapour opened fire at Oslo's London Pub and a nearby bar. Matapour was also sentenced to 30 years in prison, the maximum allowed under Norwegian law.

Bhatti has announced plans to appeal the verdict. An inquiry criticized police for not acting on intelligence that could have prevented the attack. Psychiatric experts confirmed Bhatti's criminal responsibility despite a diagnosis of severe dissocial personality disorder.

(With inputs from agencies.)