Yesterday, Kristian “Varg” Vikernes was arrested in France on suspicion of planning a large “terrorist act.” French officials, who refer to Vikernes as a neo-Nazi, say he was also among the more than 500 people that received the manifesto of Anders Behring Breivik, the terrorist responsible for the July 2011 Oslo bombing and Utoeya Massacre. However, the Burzum frontman’s former lawyer John Christian Elden has spoken out against the arrest.
During an interview with AFP, Elden (who defended Vikernes when he was charged with the murder of Øystein “Euronymous” Aarseth in 1994) said ““In Norway it’s not enough to simply be preparing a terrorist attack. There must be a specific plan against a specific target. It’s also necessary to have a sufficient basis for an indictment before you can arrest anyone. In Norway he would have been summoned to answer questions, but he would not have been arrested.” Elden also goes as far to call the evidence against Vikernes “thin,” saying “So far it’s less than the Norwegian security services have whenever they arrest Islamists and release them shortly afterwards.” It’s worth noting, though, that Elden admits to not having had any contact with his former client since his arrest Tuesday. The Norwegian foreign ministry also claims that their embassy in Paris had not yet spoken to Vikernes.
Whether or not Vikernes is guilty, this charge certainly adds onto his growing rap sheet. In addition to Aarseth’s murder, police found 150 kg of explosives and 3000 rounds of ammunition in Vikernes’ home during an in the early 90’s. While on prison leave in 2003, Vikernes hijacked a car at gunpoint, adding 13 months to his sentence upon arrest. He was later released on parole in 2009. That’s not to mention Vikernes’ several books (including Teutonic Mythology and Worldview and The Religion of the Blood) and blog postings reportedly containing white supremacist content.
[by way of NST and Blabbermouth]
