Norwegian Massacre Suspect to Explain Motive in Court

Posted July 24th, 2011 at 7:50 pm (UTC-5)
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The lawyer for the suspect in Friday's massacre in Norway says his client will explain his motives when he makes his first court appearance Monday.

Anders Behring Breivik faces terrorism charges for bombing the prime minister's office building in Oslo, then shooting participants at a youth camp in Utoeya. The attacks killed 93 people.

Breivik's lawyer says his client confessed to both attacks, but denies committing any crime. The attorney says Breivik believes his actions were “atrocious” but necessary to bring about a “revolution” in Norwegian society.

Just before Friday's attack, Breivik published a long rant on the Internet. He raved about what he calls the Islamisation of Europe through Muslim immigration. He vowed to take revenge against liberals, accusing them of betraying Christianity by promoting multiculturalism.

Friday's attack shattered Norway, which has not experienced such violence since the Nazi occupation of World War II.

Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg said that Norway has suffered a national tragedy as he led a memorial service Sunday at Oslo Cathedral. Mourners included King Harald and Queen Sonja. Many of those in the cathedral, including the king and queen, wept openly.

Tearful Norwegians laid flowers and candles outside the cathedral. Pope Benedict said Sunday he feels “deep sorrow” and called on all people to “abandon the path of hatred and to escape from the logic of evil.”