21-Year-Old Suspected In Botched Terror Attack On Mosque Stands Trial With Two Black Eyes

A man accused of opening fire in a Norwegian mosque in an alleged terror attack Saturday appeared in court for trial Monday in Oslo, Norway.

Philip Manshaus, 21, was charged with attempted murder as well as the murder of his 17-year-old stepsister, the BBC reports. He is accused of firing a weapon at the Al-Noor Islamic Centre in Baerum, west of the capital Oslo, where only three people were inside at the time.

Manshaus reportedly smiled at photographers while in court just before the judge opened his case, the BBC says.

Prosecutors are seeking to extend his sentence by four weeks, barring him from prison visits as well as media coverage.

Manshaus was reportedly subdued by those inside the mosque before any casualties were sustained, according to the BBC.

Retired Pakistani air force officer, Mohammad Rafiq, 65, reportedly disarmed and subdued the attacker on the scene. Manhaus was wearing body armor, a helmet, and carrying multiple weapons during the attack, according to the mosque’s director, the BBC reports.

After the attack, Manshaus’ 17-year-old step sister was found dead at a home in Baerum.

Manshaus pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and is refusing to speak to investigators, according to his defense lawyer Unni Fries.

The suspect is seemingly aligned with a far-right ideology, according to police. An alarming thread referencing New Zealand mosque attack suspect Brenton Tarrant was posted by Manshaus on the EndChan forum preceded the attack, according to the BBC.

EndChan said the thread was deleted by moderators following the shooting.