Norwegian First News: Police Action against occupied apartment buildings in Oslo

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Police Action against occupied apartment buildings in Oslo – NRK

The police were well equipped to action that should have been planned for a long time. Police helicopter hovered over the capital during the morning hours.

5:30 police went loose on the barricade with an angle grinder.

Around 50 police officers participated in the operation and entered the occupied quarter. They removed including fence around, and spent stigebil to get over the barricade as occupiers had built. The entire surrounding area were cordoned off.

Several arrested

the police had observed considerable activity in the Cypriot quarter in recent days, and feared that there would be as many as 30-50 people inside the two tenements. They had also taken account of the violent opposition.

But when they went into this morning, there were fewer residents than expected. 14 people were removed from the buildings. 11 people were arrested, while three people did go because they followed police orders to leave the area.

The buildings were emptied of people just before 07.

A group of sympathizers of the Culture Hausmania next, followed the whole of its area, and shouted at the police.

– Several occupants had chained themselves firmly, but it has only been passive resistance, said police efforts leader Arve Røtterud. He describes the campaign as “quiet and calm”.

Drop Deck with spikes

When the police had taken through one of the barricades Wednesday morning, they were met by a large trapdoor with spikes that stood at the entrance, but it should not have been tense up.

In the area, police found also a fire bomb, so-called molotov cocktail, and large amounts of cobblestones, but nothing was thrown at the police.

the occupiers were well prepared after city council decided to sell tenements earlier this year. The municipality then asked Enforcement Office use coercive measures to get residents to move, since they will not do this voluntarily, despite several deadlines.

The area cleared

After the police had cleared the area of people , took Enforcement Office job. It is inserted into several smaller excavators to remove the remnants of the solid barricade into the backyard, and buildings will be closed off and secured.

Formally the Oslo police assisting Enforcement Office, on behalf of the City of Oslo has received legal ruling by the Oslo City court on eviction of persons illegally residing on the addresses Brenneriveien 1 and Hausmanns gate 42.

fruitless dialogue, police said

the police were on May 19 requested the Enforcement Office for assistance to remove illegal squatters from the site in Brenneriveien 1. Then it was run into several caravans on the site.

According to police agency dialogue group for several weeks trying to get a dialogue with residents, but without success. However, they were familiar with the decisions and deadlines, and that they risked being removed by police if they refused to leave, writes Oslo police said in a statement Wednesday morning.

– We assist Enforcement Office so that they can carry out their mission in a proper and safe manner. We will do as much consideration as possible. We wish no harm to either occupiers or officials, said acting Chief of Staff Martin Strand of the Oslo police.

The petition for eviction applies plot in Brenneriveien 1 and townhouse in Hausmanns gate 42. This building was in 2010 closed because the was in such poor fire safety condition that it was considered dangerous to stay in. the windows and front doors were closed to prevent someone were to enter and expose themselves to danger.

Unresolved around sales

Hausmanns quarter was enacted sold by the City council on 11 May 2016. the developer will build homes and realize Vega scene project – an independent cinema and theater companies by walk.

Kulturhuset Hausmania same quarter shall consist of municipal ownership.

According Dagsavisen had no buyer Urbanium some subject to solution of occupier controversy when the purchase was concluded . So occupants’ fate has been an unresolved issue.

– No one buys property that is occupied, that the occupiers will continue to stay there under the same conditions. We will look for a new solution together with them, said Urbanium Espen Pay Dagsavisen on 18 September last year.

SV-mayor demanded removal

18. May, the municipality, the mayor Marianne Borgen (SV), to the magistrate and petitioned occupiers removed, Oslo Bankruptcy Court approved.

It is the Enforcement Office who then will be responsible for the formal eviction, if necessary with police assistance.

legal and illegal squatters

In Hausmanns quarter there are both legal and illegal squatters. The lawful holder to Hausmanns gate 40. They have been there for over 15 years. “The use is considered as tolerated,” says the sales contract for the quarter.

the illegal has lived in Hausmanns gate 42 and Brenneriveien 1

“Hausmanns gate 42 has been occupied as a motaksjon to the threat of destruction of housing and labor collective in Hausmanns gate 40. ” We will not move voluntarily until the democratic process is resumed, “wrote occupiers in a statement.

Motaksjon

Real Estate and Urban Renewal agency informs that the new owner first gets transferred property when the occupants are out.

– according to the sales agreement, the properties transferred to the new owner as they were at the time of sale. In order to implement council decision and transfer the property sold to a new owner in accordance with the sales agreement, Oslo has therefore filed for eviction, says communications manager Lena Nesset agency to Aftenposten.

Long contrary

Hausmanns quarter has been occupied for several years. In 2010, residents evicted because of fire hazard. The time required of Oslo refurbishment of both Hausmanns gate 40 and 42, and making student housing there.

Draft No led to violent demonstrations. It was torched trash cans, objects thrown and fireworks fired at police. Five people were arrested.

Norwegian First News