Anders Behring Breivik was in court on Monday in Oslo, Norway. It was the last scheduled court date before Breivik’s trial beings in April. Breivik has admitted to killing 77 people in Oslo. He admitted to planting and detonating the bomb that killed seven people in a government building in the capital city. He also admitted to shooting and killing 70 young adults and teenagers on Utoya Island, which is right outside of Oslo. These two attacks were the worst massacre that Norway has experienced during peacetime.
Breivik, however, is not in the least bit sorry for his actions. He said in court today that he is deserving of a medal of honor for the attacks. He also demanded that the court set him free. It was very difficult for the survivors of the attack to be present in the courtroom and hear Breivik’s rants. One 16 year old said that he was very disappointed that Breivik had the chance to say what he did.
The judge ordered Breivik to undergo a psychiatric evaluation a few months back and the report from the two psychologists was that Breivik was criminally insane. The court did not agree with this assessment and ordered a second psychiatric evaluation; however, Breivik will not cooperate with doctors for the second tests.
Breivik’s lawyer believes that his client’s conduct today is just a glimmer of what may be seen during the trial. Breivik says that he is part of a militant group that is tasked with pushing Muslim immigrants out of Europe. He calls the group “Knights Templar,” but police and other authorities have not been able to find any trace of such an organization. They say that the attacks were carried by Breivik without any other assistance.
Breivik’s trial is scheduled to being on April 16. His lawyer said that much of the trial will be based around Breivik’s personality and that is why he believes that there could be more such outbursts from Breivik then.
