Sverre Riisnæs: Norway's Nazi Justice Minister and SS Officer Who Escaped Trial

Sverre Riisnæs was one of the most powerful and fanatical collaborators in Nazi-occupied Norway. When Germany invaded the country in April 1940 under Operation Weserübung, Riisnæs quickly aligned himself with Vidkun Quisling and the fascist party Nasjonal Samling. A skilled lawyer and former state prosecutor, he soon rose to become Minister of Justice — a position from which he reshaped the Norwegian legal system into an instrument of Nazi control. Under his authority, new laws were introduced to criminalize resistance, suppress political opponents, and legitimize Nazi terror. Riisnæs was deeply antisemitic and played a central role in the deportation of Norwegian Jews in 1942, actions that led to the murder of more than 700 people in Auschwitz. His loyalty to Germany was absolute: he supported the Germanic SS, held the rank of SS-Standartenführer, and pushed for thousands of Norwegians to serve on the Eastern Front. Behind this façade of power, Riisnæs struggled with severe psychological instability. His erratic behavior, delusions, and heavy drinking became increasingly visible toward the end of the war. After the assassination of his friend Karl Marthinsen in February 1945, Riisnæs personally took part in brutal reprisals, participating in executions carried out while he was heavily intoxicated. After Norway’s liberation, Riisnæs attempted to evade responsibility by feigning insanity. He succeeded: because of his bizarre courtroom behavior, all charges were suspended, and he spent decades in psychiatric care before quietly rebuilding his life. He died in 1988, showing no remorse for his actions — still convinced that Quisling would be remembered as a hero.This episode is part of the series High Ranking Fascist Collaborators: Politicians.Watch the full documentary and explore hundreds of historical films at:WorldHistory.tv