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French trial of Norwegian neo-Nazi Vikernes postponed | |
(about 14 hours later) | |
A French court has postponed the trial of a Norwegian neo-Nazi musician after his lawyer requested more time to read documents and prepare his defence. | |
Kristian "Varg" Vikernes will now face trial in June 2014 on charges of inciting racial hatred and glorifying war crimes. | |
The Norwegian was accused of planning a terrorist act after his wife, a licensed gun holder, bought weapons. | |
French authorities later conceded there was no plot and the two were released. | |
Mr Vikernes is a self-proclaimed neo-Nazi who was once in touch with his compatriot Anders Breivik, the Norwegian far-right militant who killed 77 people in attacks in Norway in 2011. | |
In May 1994 Mr Vikernes received a prison sentence for murdering the guitarist of a rival black metal band and setting fire to churches in Norway. | In May 1994 Mr Vikernes received a prison sentence for murdering the guitarist of a rival black metal band and setting fire to churches in Norway. |
After his release in 2009 he moved to France with his wife and children. | After his release in 2009 he moved to France with his wife and children. |
French authorities placed him under surveillance. On 16 July they arrested the couple in the southern region of Correze after the wife began buying shotguns. | French authorities placed him under surveillance. On 16 July they arrested the couple in the southern region of Correze after the wife began buying shotguns. |
Officials later said she had a valid firearms permit and released the pair. | Officials later said she had a valid firearms permit and released the pair. |
Mr Vikernes has vowed to sue the French authorities for arresting him with "no good reason" and "in the most brutal way possible". | Mr Vikernes has vowed to sue the French authorities for arresting him with "no good reason" and "in the most brutal way possible". |
He says officials have not returned his firearms or his ceremonial weaponry, including his swords, spears, and helmets. | He says officials have not returned his firearms or his ceremonial weaponry, including his swords, spears, and helmets. |
Since coming to France, Mr Vikernes has continued releasing music and writing. | |
He will be tried on incitement charges related to postings on his blog which prosecutors say were "anti-Semitic and xenophobic". | |
Through his writings he promotes what he calls "Odalism", an ideology based on the idea that White Europeans should re-adopt "native European values". | Through his writings he promotes what he calls "Odalism", an ideology based on the idea that White Europeans should re-adopt "native European values". |