Neo-Nazis jailed for 'first' racist murder

Two neo-Nazis were convicted of stabbing to death a black teenager last year in what was Norway's first racially motivated killing.

Benjamin Hermansen, 15, had gone to meet a friend near his Oslo home, to trade mobile phone covers, when he was attacked by the two men on 26 January. The teenager had spoken out against racism on television a few months earlier following his assault by neo-Nazi youths during a football tournament in Denmark.

His death sparked outrage in the wealthy nation of 4.5 million and tens of thousands of Norwegians took to the streets a few days later to protest racism and violence. Smaller protests were held in Denmark and Sweden to show solidarity and hundreds attended the boy's funeral, including Norway's prime minister.

Yesterday, Joe Jahr, 20, and Ole Kvisler, 22, were found guilty of first degree murder at Oslo City Court and sentenced, respectively, to 16 and 15 years in prison, well below the 21-year maximum term set by Norwegian law. A third person, Veronica Andreassen, 18, was convicted as an accessory and sentenced to three years.

The three convicts, all linked to the neo-Nazi group Boot Boys, were also ordered to pay a total of 330,475 kroner (£26,000) in compensation and damages to the Hermansen's mother. Kvisler appealed immediately. The two others, and the prosecution, said they would review the ruling before deciding whether to appeal.

The Hermansen family and friends expressed shock at the sentences. One shouted from the gallery: "This can't be possible." The victim's mother, Marit Hermansen, said: "I thought there was going to be some kind of justice here. But there was no justice. I think they should have got 21 years."

The court said the murder was planned and had been committed by neo-Nazis partly to spread fear. "Benjamin Hermansen would not have been attacked if his skin had been the same colour as the defendants," the ruling read.