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February 7

Norwegian mass killer tells court he ought to get a medal

The right-wing extremist admits killing 77, but denies criminal responsibility and claims he should go free.

The Associated Press

OSLO, Norway — The right-wing extremist who has admitted killing 77 people in Norway's worst peacetime massacre told a court Monday he deserves a medal of honor for the bloodshed and demanded to be set free.

click image to enlarge

Anders Behring Breivik

The Associated Press

Anders Behring Breivik smirked as he was led in to the Oslo district court, handcuffed and dressed in a dark suit, for his last scheduled detention hearing before his trial starts in April. He stretched out his arms in what his lawyer Geir Lippestad called "some kind of right-wing extremist greeting."

The 32-year-old Norwegian told the court the July 22 massacre – carried out with a bomb, a rifle and a handgun – was a strike against "traitors" who he said are embracing immigration to promote "an Islamic colonization of Norway."

Breivik admitted to setting off the bomb outside the government headquarters in Oslo and opening fire at a Labor Party youth camp on Utoya island. Some 100 survivors and victims' relatives watched in disbelief as he again denied criminal responsibility for the deaths and rejected the authority of the court.

Judge Wenche Gjelsten ordered Breivik to remain in custody until the trial begins on April 16. Breivik faces terror charges that carry up to 21 years in prison, but if he's deemed to be gravely mentally ill he will be sent to psychiatric care.

 

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