Norway gunman defends actions as 'gruesome but necessary'
Correction — August 22, 2015
The official death toll was subsequently lowered. See Norwegian police lower death toll in massacre.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Further details on the motives of the man behind the attacks that killed over 92 people in Utøya and Oslo, Norway have been released. Geir Lippestad, the lawyer for the arrested gunman Anders Behring Breivik, said that Breivik considered his actions necessary:
"He thought it was gruesome having to commit these acts, but in his head they were necessary." Lippestad also noted that Breivik had planned the attacks "for some while" before pursuing them.
These statements may confirm reports that the act had an extremist political motive. Documents and videos circulating on the Internet indicated that Breivik was politically opposed to multiculturalism and what he describes as "cultural Marxists".
Breivik has been charged with terrorism and is due to appear in court on Monday.
Related News
- "At least 85 dead in shooting at Norwegian youth camp" — Wikinews, July 23, 2011
Sources
- "Norway suspect 'admits attacks'" — BBC News, July 24, 2011
- "Details emerge about Norway killer's motives" — RTÉ, July 24, 2011