Oslo suspect to speak in court on Monday

Added by Tania Sullivan on July 24, 2011

Anders Behring Breivik, the lone suspect arrested after Friday’s attack on Oslo’s government buildings and a camp on Utoeya said on Saturday through his lawyer that he will explain himself during a court hearing on Monday.

Breivik, who has not yet been officially identified by police, was interrogated on Saturday. The interrogation was described as difficult.

Acting National Police Chief Sveinung Sponheim said that at least four people are still missing in the ruins of buildings damaged in Friday’s explosion in the centre of Oslo. “The fragility of the damaged structures have made it a slow process”, said Sponheim of the search of bodies.

Norway’s Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store is reported to have said, “I think what we have seen today is that politically motivated violence poses a threat to society and I commend the police for carrying out a very swift and effective investigation, but that is still ongoing”.

In other details about the Friday attacks, an employee at Felleskjopet Agr, a Norwegian agricultural cooperative, said Breivik bought six tons of fertilizer in May. Initially the purchase did not arouse suspicion, but after Friday’s attacks the employee reported the transaction to police.

Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg said many world leaders had contacted him with messages of condolences and support. Stoltenberg said, “The world is with Norway at the moment. That will not restore the lives lost, of course, but it gives support and they hope it will help in their grief”. During a conversation with Stoltenberg, US President Obama and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon extended their condolences. US President Obama offered assistance to Norway.

The UN security council issued a statement stating, “terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security”.