• Norway edition

Clear me or kill me: Breivik

Published: 18 Apr 2012 14:47 GMT+02:00 | Print version
Updated: 18 Apr 2012 16:30 GMT+02:00

Anders Behring Breivik told an Oslo court Wednesday there were only two possible outcomes of his trial: acquittal or the death penalty.

"There are only two legitimate outcomes of this case," he told the court: "Acquittal or the death penalty."

He acknowledged that neither was "realistic," since he has confessed to the attacks and Norway does not apply the death penalty.

If found sane, Breivik risks a 21-year jail term, which could then be extended indefinitely if he is still considered a threat to society. If found insane he could be sentenced to closed psychiatric care, possibly for life.

"I consider 21 years prison a pathetic punishment," he said, adding he thought it a shame that one of the judges hearing the case had been removed on Tuesday for having called for him to receive the death penalty the day after the July 22nd attacks.

Two psychiatric evaluations have drawn contradictory conclusions on Breivik's sanity, and ultimately it will be up to the judges to rule on them when they deliver their verdict sometime in mid-July.

Breivik, who has said his attacks were aimed at defending "ethnic Norwegians" from what he considers a Muslim invasion, also told the court two other cells were prepared to attack Norway.

When prosecutor Inga Bejer Engh asked if Norwegians should truly fear attacks from two other cells, Breivik answered: "Yes."

"I am only one of very many militant nationalists in Norway and Europe ... If our demands are not met this will happen again," he said, referring to his wish that the ruling Labour Party put an end to its generous immigration policies.

On July 22nd last year, Breivik first killed eight people when he set off a bomb in a van parked outside buildings housing the offices of Labour Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, who was not present at the time.

He then travelled to Utøya island where, dressed as a police officer, he spent more than an hour methodically shooting at hundreds of people attending a ruling Labour Party youth summer camp.

The shooting spree claimed 69 lives, mostly teens trapped on the small island surrounded by icy waters. It was the deadliest massacre ever committed by a lone gunman.

Breivik has entered a plea of not guilty, saying his acts were "cruel but necessary".

AFP (news@thelocal.no)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)

Jobs in Norway

Hundreds of great job opportunities for foreign professionals at Norway's top employers - in cooperation with Monster and Experteer.
Choose location
Choose category
235 Jobs available
1 2 3 4 5    »    »»
Senior Engineer HVAC
Location: Trondheim
added on 22/05 by
Senior Process Engineer
Location: Trondheim
added on 22/05 by
Senior Subsea Engineers
Location: Ågotnes
added on 22/05 by
Scrum Manager
Location: Sandnes
added on 21/05 by
Subsea Installation Engineers
Location: Stavanger
added on 21/05 by
Senior Corrosion Engineer
Location: Stavanger
added on 20/05 by
Senior Engineer - Welding and Materials
Location: Stavanger
added on 20/05 by
Project Accountant
Location: Stavanger
added on 20/05 by
Senior Project Manager
Location: Asker
added on 20/05 by
Sales & Marketing Programme Manager
Location: Norge
added on 20/05 by
Vice President EUR/ACIS
Location: Bergen
added on 20/05 by
Engagement Manager
Location: Oslo
added on 20/05 by
Cartographer / GIS Specialist
Location: Oslo
added on 19/05 by
Senior Consultant
Location: Oslo
added on 19/05 by
Account Manager
Location: Oslo
added on 18/05 by
QA Lead
Location: Oslo
added on 17/05 by
Communications Manager
Location: Sandvika
added on 17/05 by
Lead Technical Assurance Engineer
Location: Sandvika
added on 17/05 by
Operations Engineer - Offshore Operations
Location: Stavanger
added on 17/05 by
1 2 3 4 5    »    »»
Highlights
Latest news from The Local in Sweden

More news from Sweden at thelocal.se

Latest news from The Local in Germany

More news from Germany at thelocal.de

Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

Latest news from The Local in France

More news from France at thelocal.fr

Democracy, Human Rights and the Rule of Law in Europe: Strengthening the Impact of the Council of Europe’s Activities (Thu, 16 May)
- We meet at a very important moment. As we here from the Secretary General the founding principles of this organisation, democracy, human rights and the rule of law are again under pressure in Europa. We have to take that very seriously, said Minister of Foreign Affairs, Espen Barth Eide, in his statement at the Council of Europe's meeting.

The Niwano Peace Prize to Gunnar Stålsett (Thu, 16 May)
Ambassador Arne Walther gave this message on behalf of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Espen Barth Eide, at the award ceremony.

National statement by Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide (Wed, 15 May)
"The great interest that that non-Arctic states are taking in the coming observership is a tribute to the good work we have done together. I think it is very important to welcome the new observers and to appreciate their interest to working with us on the basis of the principles that we have agreed to”, Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said at the Arctic Council Ministerial meeting in Kiruna, ...

Arctic Council welcomes new observers (Wed, 15 May)
“I am pleased that six new countries and the EU have been granted observer status in the Arctic Council. This confirms the Arctic Council’s key position as an international forum for discussing Arctic issues,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide, who is taking part in the Kiruna Ministerial Meeting.