Latest developments in the Oslo Foxtrot kidnapping case
In a development that underscores the complexity of the high-profile case, Oslo police on Friday announced the second arrest connected to the kidnapping of a 24-year-old in September. The suspect is a 29-year-old Norwegian citizen from Oslo who was brought into custody again as part of the ongoing investigation. He is due to be presented for a detention hearing in Oslo Tingrett (district court), with prosecutors arguing that there is now a basis for deprivation of liberty charges.
What happened and who is involved
The case has unfolded in multiple steps over the past two weeks, with authorities tying the kidnapping to a broader set of violent incidents linked to a gang described in local reporting as Foxtrot. The operation allegedly involved use of a taxi to abduct the 24-year-old, and later events — including an explosion in Pilestredet — are said to be connected to a demand for millions of kroner tied to Foxtrot’s criminal activities. The 29-year-old arrested on Friday became the focus of renewed detention proceedings after his initial arrest on September 19, followed by a brief release the next day.
At a point during the unfolding events, the 24-year-old managed to escape the captors, according to public reporting. In the days that followed, authorities say a grenade incident occurred at a beauty salon in Bislett, Oslo, where two 13-year-olds allegedly threw grenades at the location. One of the grenades did not detonate, and a controlled explosion was later carried out by the police bomb squad. Investigators have linked the assaults and the kidnapping to the same criminal framework and the multi-million demand, though many details remain under investigation.
Detention hearing and the defendant’s stance
Prosecutor Sonika Sharma-Sundheim of the Oslo police district stated that the detention is warranted based on current evidence and the risk of further offenses. The 29-year-old, however, denies the charges of aggravated deprivation of liberty. His defense, led by lawyer Inam Ali, argued that last time detention was sought, the defense contended that release was appropriate and that the current circumstances do not justify continued detention. Ali added that his client will not answer questions and will exercise the right to remain silent at this stage of the proceedings.
County court representatives emphasize that the case remains under active investigation, with authorities continuing to gather facts and corroborating links between the suspects and the kidnapping plot, the explosion, and the alleged debt to Foxtrot. The defense has indicated that no further public statements would be made while the process unfolds.
Background and ongoing investigation
The police have identified at least ten individuals in connection with the kidnapping case. Among them are several charged and under investigation for various roles: a 28-year-old who emigrated to Sweden and has a prior record for narcotics and violence; a 19-year-old charged in connection with the kidnapping but not detained; a 27-year-old involved in the case and reported to be abroad for a music job; and another 29-year-old who has previously traveled to the United Arab Emirates and is now facing detention proceedings for a second time. A sixth person remains charged or sought internationally, with details not fully disclosed to the public. The mosaic of suspects highlights an international dimension to the case and the challenges of prosecuting a coordinated kidnapping operation.
The September 23 grenade incident remains a significant incident in the narrative, linking violent acts across the case to the alleged debt and the Foxtrot network. While police continue to connect the dots, the precise individual roles and the full scope of the conspiracy remain under investigation. VG has reported that the first major arrest occurred at a Vestli apartment in Oslo, and that the leading suspects have had various international movements, including visits to the United Arab Emirates, which has complicated the timeline and operational planning for the investigation.
What this means for public safety and police work
The involvement of a well-connected criminal network and the apparent use of multiple modalities — including a taxi-based abduction, bomb threats, and a public display of violence — has prompted the Oslo police to underscore the seriousness of the case. Authorities say they are pursuing a multinational and multi-agency approach to unravel the network, collect digital and financial evidence, and determine the extent of Foxtrot’s control over the kidnapping and related assaults. Community safety remains a priority as investigators work to identify all participants and prevent further violence tied to the scheme.
unanswered questions and next steps
As the detention hearings proceed and more suspects face charges, several questions remain. What precise roles did each suspect play in the kidnapping and the surrounding violence? How extensive is the financial extortion linked to Foxtrot, and who else in the network may still be at large? How will the new evidence influence the legal strategy for the defense and the prosecution? These questions will likely shape the next phase of the investigation and the courtroom proceedings in Oslo.
For now, the investigation continues with police officials promising thorough, ongoing efforts to uncover the truth behind the Foxtrot-linked kidnapping and related attacks, and to bring those responsible to justice.
