Thaindian News

London, July 25 (IANS) Anders Behring Breivik, accused of killing at least 93 people in a twin terror attack in Norway, Monday appeared in a closed-door court hearing, BBC reported.

A minute’s silence was oberved at 1000 GMT to remember the victims. The hearing was held behind closed doors as ruled by the judge.

Breivik, 32, has admitted carrying out two bombings in Oslo and a massacre at a youth camp on Utoeya island, killing at least 93 people. About 96 more were injured.

He is said to be linked to far-right groups and to have spent years planning the attacks.

Breivik said before the court hearing he would explain his actions to the court. Earlier, he described the attacks as “gruesome but necessary”.

There have been calls for a media blackout of the trial so as not to give Breivik a platform for his views.

Judge Kim Heger ruled on Monday’s hearing: “It is clear that there is concrete information that a public hearing with the suspect present could quickly lead to an extraordinary and very difficult situation in terms of the investigation and security.”

The hearing lasted about 40 minutes, BBC reported. Television pictures showed what appeared to be Breivik being driven away in a convoy of vehicles.

Under Norwegian law, Breivik faces a maximum of 21 years in jail if convicted, although that sentence can be extended if a prisoner is deemed a threat to the public.

The bomb in Oslo targeted buildings connected to Norway’s governing Labour Party, and the youth camp on Utoeya island was also run by the party.

Breivik was arrested about 90 minutes after the massacre began. Police say he still had a lot of ammunition, and hospital sources said he had used dum-dum bullets, designed to disintegrate inside the body and cause maximum internal damage.