Confessed Norwegian mass killer Anders Behring Breivik will be detained at Ila prison even if he is found to be insane, the government has revealed. The country’s deputy health minister Robin Martin Kass has confirmed that a high-security hospital unit has already been built onto the Oslo prison in case the 33-year-old right-wing extremist is committed to psychiatric care.
Breivik, who has been kept in isolation at Ila Priosn since being arrested, killed 77 people in dual terror attacks on July 22 last year. The Norwegian has admitted the crimes but denies criminal responsibility, claiming he was saving Europe from Muslim invasion.
The court must now decide whether Breivik should be hospitalised or imprisoned. Breivik claims he is sane and inspired by a political doctrine, but behind the scenes the Norwegian government has been working to bring in new mental health legislation for dealing with “high-risk individuals who are criminally insane”.
Breivik’s trial is expected to end of June 22, with Oslo District Court hoping to wrap up the verdict and sentencing before the July 22 anniversary of the attacks.
“We understand that victims and their families would like to see this trial concluded as soon as possible, and we still hope the court may have a verdict ready by Friday 20 July,” court spokeswoman Irene Ramm said in a report by the BBC. “But it is looking more likely that it will not be ready until after the summer holidays.”