Norwegian Police Arrest Afghan Man in Killing of Former Afghan Soldier

Norwegian police in western Norway have arrested an Afghan man suspected of involvement in the murder of a former Afghan army soldier. The suspect initially approached police as a witness but was detained hours later on suspicion of the killing.

The victim, a former member of Afghanistan's 222nd unit, was killed in the Arna district of Bergen. His wife was also injured in the attack. Prosecutor Inger-Lise Hovland, responsible for prosecutions in western Norway police jurisdiction, stated during a press conference on the evening of February 11 that the case had shifted from 'witness' to 'suspect' based on new investigative information.

Hovland said the arrest stemmed from details including the suspect's movements, his acquaintance with the victim, and other evidence linking him to the scene and crime. She emphasized that police have sufficient grounds to charge him but declined to provide specifics on the evidence. Police noted that both the victim and suspect were Afghan citizens who moved in the same social circles.

NRK, Norway's public broadcaster, reported that the victim had collaborated with Norwegian forces in Afghanistan until the Taliban returned to power in 2021. The victim's wife previously stated that her husband's military background was a focus of the police investigation. A relative of the victim told Afghanistan International that the former soldier had no known personal enmities.

A source told Afghanistan International that the victim played a key role in most counterterrorism operations in Kabul, particularly demonstrating valor during the 2018 attack on the Kabul Intercontinental Hotel.

Norway handed over its Afghan embassy to the Taliban in April this year, a move that drew sharp criticism from Afghan activists and citizens.