Norway attacker held in medical custody amid mental health doubts

Man who confessed to killing five people in a bow-and-arrow attack was ‘in and out of the health system for some time’, say officials.

A Norway court has ordered the man who confessed to killing five people in a bow-and-arrow attack to be held in detention in a medical facility, as questions mounted about his mental health.

Espen Andersen Brathen, a Danish citizen who converted to Islam and was known to police, will be held for an initial period of four weeks, the first two in total isolation, judge Ann Mikalsen ruled on Friday.

A full psychiatric evaluation – which can take several months, according to the prosecutor – is necessary to determine whether Brathen can be held legally responsible for his actions.