Norway mass killer likely insane: lawyer

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The lawyer for Norwegian terror suspect Anders Behring Breivik says his client claims he is in a "state of war", working with other anti-Muslim terror cells in Norway and abroad.


Geir Lieppestad told reporters in Oslo the case indicates that Breivik is likely "insane", but it is too early to say if he will plead insanity.

He said his client expected to be killed during the attacks which killed 76 people and was surprised "that in his mind he succeeded".

"He is in a war and he says that the rest of the world, especially the Western world, doesn't understand his point of view, but in 60 years time, we will all understand him," he said.

"He thought he'd be killed after the bombing, after the action on the island, and he also thought he'd be killed at trial.

"He believes this war will continue for 60 years and in 60 years this war will be won."

Breivik confessed to last week's bombing in the capital and a shooting rampage on the nearby island of Utoya, but he has pleaded not guilty to terrorism charges.

"He believes that when you're in a war you can do things like that without pleading guilty," the lawyer said.

"He's in his bubble."

If his client is adjudged medically insane, Mr Lippestad said: "He can't be punished in a jail."

Asked whether Behring Breivik had shown any empathy for his mainly young victims, the lawyer said: "No."

"He says that he's sorry he had to do this but it was necessary to start the revolution," he said.

"He hates anyone who believes in democracy. My point of view is that he's a very cold person."

Breivik claims he acted to save Europe from what he says is Muslim colonisation.
Crimes against humanity

Meanwhile, authorities are considering charging Breivik with crimes against humanity.

Faced with the worst crimes on its territory since World War II, many in Norway have been dismayed by the prospect that the perpetrator could serve just 21 years behind bars, the maximum sentence allowed for the terrorism charges he currently faces.

But prosecutor Christian Hatlo told the Aftenposten newspaper that police are now envisaging charging him with crimes against humanity.

"Police have so far cited ... the law on terrorism but seeking other charges has not been excluded," police spokesman Sturla Henreiksboe said.

"No final decision has yet been taken."

Breivik admitted carrying out the attacks at his first court appearance on Monday, when he was remanded in custody for eight weeks.

The 32-year-old says he was on a crusade to save Norway and Western Europe from a Muslim invasion and that the attacks targeting the Labour Party-led government and its youth wing were "cruel" but "necessary".

Police have come in for heavy criticism over over the time it took them to reach Utoya island where Breivik shot dead 68 of his victims in an attack that lasted around 90 minutes.

It also emerged on Monday that police investigated Breivik in March for a purchase of chemicals, but the probe was dropped.

The incident was judged too insignificant to warrant a follow-up, Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) head Janne Kristiansen said.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Norway's justice minister Knut Storberget hailed the "fantastic" work done by police.

"I had the opportunity to thank police in Oslo and other districts and other organs for their fantastic work," he said after meeting police chiefs.

"These are people who worked much harder than you could expect of anyone; these are people who interrupted their holidays and who volunteered to help from all parts of the country."


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