'I WAS CHOSEN'
Norway mosque ‘terrorist’ smirks in court covered in bruises after hailing New Zealand massacre gunman Brenton Tarrant a ‘saint’ in sick far-right rant
A SUSPECTED far-right terrorist smirked in court in Norway today - as it emerged he hailed the New Zealand massacre gunman a "saint" before storming a mosque and opening fire on worshippers.
Philip Manshaus, 21, was covered in scratches and bruises with two black eyes as he was detained for allegedly killing his stepsister and breaching anti-terrorism laws.
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Only one person was injured before the suspect was overpowered by a brave 65-year-old worshipper who wrestled away his guns at Baerum's al-Noor Islamic Centre on Saturday.
Since his arrest Manshaus has refused to speak to investigators but he denies involvement in the crimes, his lawyer said on Monday.
Before the rampage he had posted a sick online rant expressing far-right, anti-immigrant views and suggesting he was inspired by the Christchurch and El Paso shootings, according to reports.
Manshaus is said to have posted on the Endchan messaging board: “My time is up, I was chosen by Saint Brenton Tarrant after all.
"We can’t let this continue, you gotta bump the race war threat in real life…it’s been fun.”
His post included a meme that praised Tarrant for being a hero of the white nationalist movement after he allegedly murdered 51 people at two mosques in Christchurch in March.
The image also praised alleged El Paso shooter Patrick Crusius for “reclaiming his country” after he allegedly killed 22 in a suspected terror attack against the Hispanic community in Texas earlier this month.
SICK MANIFESTOS
Both suspect had shared “manifestos” on the unmoderated messaging board ‘8chan’ to inspire further white supremacist attacks.
Brenton Tarrant said he took inspiration from Anders Breivik who killed 77 in a bomb attack in Oslo and a mass shooting at a summer camp for children in 2011.
Manshaus was reportedly wearing body armour and broke through a glass door at the mosque where people were preparing to celebrate the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha.
Prime Minister Erna Solberg called the attempted attack a “direct attack on Norwegian Muslims.”
He has also been accused of killing his 17-year-old sister, whose body was found at her home.
The head of Norway’s domestic security agency revealed today officials had received a “vague” tip a year ago about the suspect, but it was not sufficient to act because they had no information about any “concrete plans” of attack.
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Police are initially seeking to hold Philip Manshaus in custody for four weeks.
A statement by the Norwegian Police read: “Prosecutors ask that the suspect is held in full isolation for four weeks, with no access to outside communication, visitors or any news media.
“The investigation is still in an early phase and the suspect has not made any statements to the police.”
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