Monday, July 25, 2011

Somali Man killed in Norway, Somali Girl Also Missing

A Somali man was one of the victims who were killed as the death toll from Norway's bomb attack and mass shooting rose to 93 on Sunday.

More than 90 people were injured, with at least four or five people including a Somali lady missing from the shooting incident.

The Somali youth who died in the deadly attack was identified as Ismaiil Haji 20. Reports said he was part of the group who died instantly following the raid at the island of Utoya located some 40km from the Norwegian capital Oslo.

The young man was reportedly accompanied by three of his brothers who witnessed the shooting that killed their brother.

Another Somali family in Norway is missing a girl identified as Muna Abdi Noor 19. The girl was reportedly part of a group of people who took refuge inside the sea waters. Norwegian police are yet to reveal the details of the missing people.

Police have been investigating the background of the suspect, Anders Breivik, who was charged with terrorism following the blast in downtown Oslo and gun attack on the island of Utoya.

Asked if they were exploring possible links to British extremist groups, a spokesman said: "I'm sure they will do. They are following every lead and they're checking out everything he might have been associated with." It was too early to say which groups this might include, he added.

But reports suggested Breivik had connections and sympathies with the right-wing English Defence League (EDL).

A manifesto he published online, said to have been posted the day of the attack, railed against Muslim immigration to Europe and vowed revenge on "indigenous Europeans," whom he accused of betraying their heritage. He added that they would be punished for their "treasonous acts".

The EDL denied that Breivik, 32, had any links with it and said it "vehemently" opposed his actions.

In a statement on its website the group wrote: "Terrorism and extremism of any kind is never acceptable and we pride ourselves on opposing these...

"We strongly oppose extremism and always reject any suggestion of us being either extremists or far-right, due to our great past record of dealing with anyone who holds such extremist views."

The Nordic Defence League also distanced itself from the killings, posting a message on its Facebook page saying: "We condemn this act of terror no matter who or where this came from! Our duty is to react rational only in democratic ways."

Breivik's lawyer said his client had wanted to revolutionise Norway's society and had "confessed to the factual circumstances" of the atrocities but denied criminal responsibility.

Geir Lippestad told Norwegian broadcaster NRK: "He wanted a change in society and, from his perspective, he needed to force through a revolution. He wished to attack society and the structure of society."

A memorial service was held at Oslo Cathedral this morning as the nation mourned its dead and braced itself for the number of victims to rise still further.

Source: Hiiraan Online and Mirror

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