Saturday 14 April 2012

Oslo's Trial of the Century - some facts about the trial of Anders Breivik

Anders Breivik's trial for killing 77 people and injuring a further 151 on July 22nd last year is due to start in he next few days in Oslo, Norway.


*Both the Justice Minister and the Chief of Security Services were forced to resign following heavy criticism of the way they had handled the terror attacks.

*The police, security services and the Prime Minister apologised about the mis-handling of the case in March.

*Police errors on the day is are under investigation and will form a substantial part of the independent public inquiry due to be published in August.

*Oslo District Court has built a new, custom-made courtroom specially for Breivik's trial.

*The new courtroom is No. 250.

*Additionally, they have refurbished 2 floors to for the media and other affected parties to follow the trial.

*The trial is estimated to cost around £10m (12.1m euros, $15.9m), according to Geir Engebretsen, President of the Court.

*Between 1,000-1,400 people will be in the court building for each day of the trial.

*There are only 190 seats in the main courtroom and these will be reserved for the victims and members of the press.

*2,500 people will follow the trial via video link in 18 local courts around Norway.

*Breivik will be protected in court by a bulletproof screen as he has received a number of death threats whilst in prison awaiting trial.

*There will be a panel of five judges instead of a jury.

*The five judges will include two professional judges and three lay judges (general members of the public).

*The trial is expected to end on 22 June.

*The verdict will not be heard for several weeks after that, and could be appealed.


*The trial will start with the indictment read by the prosecution.

*Breivik is expected to take several days to testify beginning on Tuesday 17 April when he will take the stand.

*The prosecution will call more than 90 witnesses.

*The defence will call around 40 witnesses including a prolific far-right Norwegian blogger, Fjordman.

*Also expected to be called are members of the Labour Party and Progress Party, terrorism experts and psychiatrists. Several public figures have said they will refuse to appear.

*Breivik's dwarning has warned that his client is likely to say things many will find offensive and shocking.

*Breivik has said: "I am not sorry and I would do the same thing all over again."

*Two psychiatric reports ordered by the court came up with opposite conclusions. The first report (November 2011) concluded that Breivik was a paranoid schizophrenic and was psychotic at the time of the crime. The second report (April 2012) concluded that Breivik was sane and showed no signs of psychosis.

*Breivik considers himself a political activist and a soldier trying to save Norway and Europe from being taken over by Islam.

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