Post date: Apr 16, 2012 2:29:50 PM
Norway gunman Anders Breivik wiped away tears as an Oslo court was shown one of his propaganda videos during its morning session.
OSLO, NORWAY (APRIL 16, 2012) (NRK POOL) - The prosecution presented details of Anders Behring Breivik's life, and the time leading up to his massacre of 77 people last summer, as the first day of his trial go underway on Monday (April 16)
Thirty-three year old Anders Behring Breivik has said he acted in defence of his country by setting off a car bomb that killed eight people at government headquarters in Oslo last July, then killing another 69 people in a shooting spree at a summer youth camp organised by the ruling Labour Party. Prosecutor Svein Holden, who showed a wealth of evidence, said there was a change in Breivik's life around 2006.
"Around 2006, he gave up the idea of becoming a big financial sponsor and decided to carry out a violent action," he said, referring to the many companies Breivik had set up to make money to sponsor anti-Islamic activity.
The real question of the trial will be whether Breivik will be declared insane or guilty. While he risks being kept behind bars for the rest of his life, the high school dropout has said being labelled insane would be a "fate worse than death".
Breivik listening impassively for hours as prosecutors read out an indictment detailing how he massacred teenagers trapped on a holiday island outside Oslo.
Then the prosecution outlined his life leading up to the attacks - how he spent a lot of time playing World of Warcraft, writing his manifesto and acquiring material for the attack.
The trial will also examine Breivik's initial claim that he was part of the organisation of "Knights Templar". Police said evidence now points to solitary attacks by Breivik after years of radicalisation.
Breivik shed tears when the court later showed one of his propaganda videos -- a movie of still pictures accompanied by text of his vision of the evils of "multiculturalism" and "Islamic demographic warfare".
The trial is scheduled to last 10 weeks and has raised fears that it could reopen wounds in Norway, a country that prides itself on its tolerant and peaceful society.
The "lone wolf" killer intends to say he was defending Norway against multiculturalism and Islam. He says the attacks were intended as punishment of "traitors" whose pro-immigration policies were adulterating Norwegian blood.