Right-wing extremists have spoken at the murder trial of Norwegian killer Anders Behring Breivik as his lawyers try to prove that his views on Islam are shared by others in the country. Although none of the speakers condoned Breivik’s slaughter of 77 people on July 22 last year, the 33-year-old’s defence team said the testimonies in support of Breivik’s ideology prove he is not insane.
Arne Tumyr, head of the Stop the Islamisation of Norway organisation, told the court that Islam is, “a religion of violence, a religion of wars”. He added that the religion is, “a threat to Norwegian society and values”, and claimed that people in Islamic countries live “in a regime of terror and slavery” similar to that of the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany.
Echoing Tumyr’s view that Norway will be “taken over by Muslims” if nothing is done, Tore Tvedt, the founder of far-right group Vigrid, told the court that, “When they [Muslims] get their will, the Nordic race will be exterminated.” He added, “The constitution has been cancelled; we’re at war now.”
Breivik’s lawyer Geir Lippestad explained to the survivors and victims’ families in court that, “Our aim is not to argue in favour of a political opinion but to show that the way the accused views the world is shared by others.”
Breivik hopes to prove that he is sane so his actions will be viewed as the result of a political doctrine. He killed eight in a bomb attack at government offices in Oslo before shooting dead 69 at a youth camp for the ruling party on nearby Utøya Island.
Meanwhile, the court announced this week that, due to logistical reasons, it might not be able to deliver its verdict until the July 20 or August 23.