Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Flowers and candles left in memory of the victims of the shooting lie on the shore opposite Utoya. AP Photo/Frank Augstein
Norway

Isolation ordered for Norway attacks suspect Breivik

Meanwhile, Norwegian police investigate claims he was associated with two “cells” ahead of the attacks. Surgeons say special bullets were used on Utoya to cause maximum internal damage.

THE MAN ACCUSED of carrying out the bomb attack in Oslo and mass shooting on Utoya island in Norway on Friday is to be held in isolation for four weeks.

At least 93 people were killed in the attacks.

A judge today ordered that 32-year-old Andres Behring Breivik be detained without access to letters or visitors, apart from his lawyer.

Breivik had earlier requested a public hearing to allow him the opportunity to air his views and apparently explain why he carried out the attacks. The prosecution and police objected, and the judge decided that today’s brief court appearance would be held behind closed doors, away from the public and the media.

The court said that while it acknowledges the need for transparency in the proceedings, it was not possible to have a public hearing today.

The judge ordered that Breivik be detained for a month following his isolation period. He said the investigation must be allowed to continue without the accused interfering. Today’s hearing lasted just over half an hour.

“Cells”

Meanwhile, Norwegian police are investigating Breivik’s claims he was associated with two more “cells” when planning his gun and bomb attacks.

Scotland Yard is investigating the possibility Breivik was linked to far-right extremist groups in Britain. The Telegraph reports that the police service is also trying to establish if Breivik visited London while planning the attacks.

In his manifesto, he claims to have been part of a group modelled on the Knights Templar which was founded in England in 2002 and has mentioned being in communication with the English Defence League.

Today Polish authorities confirmed that Breivik had sourced some of the components for his Oslo bomb in Poland. They said he purchased legal materials.

Ammunition

The head of surgery at Ringriket Hospital in Norway said that special bullets were used in the Utoya island attacks. Dr Colin Poole says that ‘dum-dum’-style bullets designed to disintegrate inside the body have caused “all kinds of extra problems in dealing with the wounds they cause”.

He said that surgeons operating on the victims of the Utoya shootings say that they have not recovered any full bullets.

Witnesses to the attack said that the gunman, who was dressed as a police officer, drew his victims closer by saying he needed to talk to them. They also said that he checked the fallen bodies to see if people were really dead and fired at close range.

Commemorations

Special services have been held in Norway to commemorate the 93 victims of the two attacks. Today, Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg led the country in a minute’s silence:

- Additional reporting by the AP

Read: Norway gun and bomb attack accused denied public court hearing >

Read: Is this man one of the luckiest people in Norway? >

Read TheJournal.ie’s full coverage of the Norway attacks >

Your Voice
Readers Comments
2
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.