On a warm June night in 2022, Henning Meling and friends sit in the outdoor dining area at the London Pub. Then there are sharp gunshots. – A guy in front of me this from standing to lying down. I see that people have bowed and one shouts “this is serious”, he says. The images from that fateful night are still vivid in my memory. FOLLOWING HIM: Henning Meling is constantly confronted with the memories of the dramatic June night. Meling escapes to safety. The next few hours are devoted to hectic activity on social media to check whether acquaintances are safe. – When I haven’t spoken to people for a while, the message sequences from that night appear, and it’s just as strange to see it every time, says Meling, who is a board member of the support group on 25 June. He is one of many who have turned up at the second anniversary of the terrorist attack on 25 June. LAY FLOWERS: Left: Politicians Marian Hussein (SV), Seher Aydar (Red), Henrik Asheim (H) and Dag Inge Ulstein (KrF) lay flowers during the commemoration for the terrorist attack on 25 June 2022 in Oslo on Tuesday. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB Two people lost their lives and over 20 were injured when Zaniar Matapour opened fire on the pubs Per på Hjørnet and the queer pub London Pub. During the trial against Zaniar Matapour this spring, the prosecution believed that the attack was serious terrorism and aimed at queers. IN COURT: Zaniar Matapour on the prosecution bench in Oslo district court. He could receive a historically high sentence for the attack. Photo: Lise Aaserud / NTB The prosecution claims that more lives could have been lost, if the machine gun had not gone off, and Matapour was overpowered by civilians. A request has been made for a historically high sentence of 30 years’ imprisonment with custody for Matapour. Want to take back security The commemoration on Wednesday started with the people’s train from the Storting, which ended with the laying of flowers outside Per på Hjørnet. Culture Minister Lubna Jaffery (Ap) says it is important not to forget what happened two years ago. – We were attacked. Love was attacked. It was the queer movement that was primarily attacked, but we must all show that we stand in solidarity with the queer movement. SAFE FOR SQUEA: That was Oslo mayor Anne Lindboe’s (H) appeal at the commemoration. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB Mayor Anne Lindboe (H) participates in solidarity with queer people, and for Oslo to be a safe city. – Many in the queer environment have lost their sense of security. We have to take that security back, she says. IN MEMORY: Flowers were laid in memory of the victims outside Herr Nilsen. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB Last week, PST said that they still register threats against Pride, but the number is less than last year. – There have been registered threats that border on what is illegal, such as threatening terror, said senior advisor Eirik Veum in PST to Aftenposten. The Oslo police confirm the same picture, which just before the start of pride week had not registered concrete, serious threats. MOVED: It was emotional when Espen Aleksander Evjenth spoke during the commemoration. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB Fought against the tears Espen Aleksander Evjenth leads the Support Group on 25 June. When he spoke at the commemoration on Wednesday, he fought back tears. To news, he says that the attack is something he thinks about every single day. – There are scenes from 25 June two years ago, scenes from the trial, the people we have lost and those whose lives have been changed by the terror, says Evjenth. The verdict in the Matapour trial is expected next week. Evjenth hopes the decision can be a step forward for those affected by the 25 June terror attack. – We are excited about what the outcome will be. We really hope it will be something that feels clear and fair, he says. Published 25.06.2024, at 19.54 Updated 25.06.2024, at 20.08
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