The indictment against the man who killed five people and inflicted several serious injuries on a number of other people in Kongsberg last year has been finalized. The prosecution believes he can not be punished.
In the indictment decision, the prosecuting authority announced that 38-year-old Espen Andersen Bråthen should be sentenced to compulsory mental health care, according to a press release from the Vestfold, Telemark, and Buskerud public prosecutor’s offices.
Bråthen is charged with five murders, eleven attempted murders, and 13 cases of making serious threats.
“A claim will be filed for a transfer to compulsory mental health care,” it is stated in the press release.
Not charged with terrorism
Furthermore, it is stated that no basis has been found for bringing charges under the terrorism provision.
“Bråthen has never been suspected or charged with this, but the police have investigated whether the accused had terrorist intent under the Penal Code,” the release noted.
Bråthen was armed with a bow and arrow and stabbing weapons. Several of the killings took place indoors, at the victims’ homes.
Bråthen was arrested more than half an hour after the attack started inside a grocery store.
31 victims in the case
In addition to those killed, there are 26 other victims in the case. The case will take place before Buskerud District Court in Hokksund on May 18. The court has set aside one month to process it.
Since the attacks on October 13, Bråthen has been admitted to a closed psychiatric ward through a decision on compulsory hospitalization.
Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews
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