Legal Purge in Norway After World War II - Culpable Acts During The Occupation

Culpable Acts During The Occupation

Nasjonal Samling, the Norwegian fascist party that supported the Nazi regime, was made the only legal party in Norway in the fall of 1940, but never achieved any level of support that could justify a claim to legitimacy for its government; its claim to the government was based on the premise that the existing parties had abdicated their responsibilities by leaving Norway, and that Nasjonal Samling had taken the responsible course by assuming the mantle of governorship.

The government in exile saw things differently, viewing the German government as an enemy of war. Anything that aided and encouraged the German occupation was therefore in principle considered treason, including mere membership in Nasjonal Samling. More obvious acts in support of Nasjonal Samling and/or the Nazi regime were also considered criminal, including economic support for the war effort and other financial crimes.

Norwegians who had volunteered for military service with the German military, and especially Germanic-SS were subject to criminal prosecution; as were police officers in Sikkerhetspolitiet and Norwegian members of the Gestapo. War crimes included torture, executions, and other mistreatment of prisoners.