Breivik Declared Sane, Given Maximum Sentence

Posted on Aug 24, 2012

ssoosay (CC BY 2.0)

Anders Behring Breivik, “the Norwegian far-right extremist” who killed 77 people and wounded hundreds during twin attacks in Norway last summer, was Friday declared to have been sane throughout the course of his rampage. A court sentenced him to at least 21 years in prison.

Breivik is said to be “delighted” at the ruling, given that his status as a madman would have made him easier to dismiss, in his eyes.

Under a “preventive detention” policy, Breivik’s prison sentence could be extended to last his whole life, so long as he is considered a danger to society.

—Posted by Alexander Reed Kelly.

The Guardian:

After two months of deliberations, the five-judge panel said they considered the perpetrator of last year’s gun and bomb attacks, the worst in the country’s history, mentally fit enough to be held criminally responsible for the attacks.

As the verdict was delivered to a packed, hushed courtroom, Breivik, dressed in a black suit, white shirt and grey tie, smirked.

Among the 40 or so relatives and survivors in attendance, some nodded silently as the panel of judges shared their unanimous verdict. Many of those most directly affected by the attacks had wanted Breivik judged of sound mind and sent to prison.

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