Anders Behring Breivik wants to tell Norway and the world why he killed at least 93 people in a bomb attack and shooting rampage, but a judge ruled that Monday’s custody hearing would be closed to the public. Breivik, a self-confessed mass killer, has said through his lawyer that he wants to explain his motives at the hearing. The 32-year-old, who portrays himself as crusader against a tide of Islam in a rambling 1,500-page online manifesto, says he wants to explain acts he deemed ‘atrocious’ but ‘necessary’. The hearing, expected to start after 1 pm (1100 GMT), has opened a debate about freedom of expression, with many people opposed to allowing Breivik to expound his radical views. More than 60,000 had signed up to a Facebook page called “Shut the doors on Monday”, calling on the court to deny Breivik the publicity he craves. Another Facebook group called “Boycott Anders Behring Breivik” carried the message: “He has planned this stage, to get propaganda. Do NOT let him get that freedom…Boycott all media describing the Norwegian terrorist and his beliefs.”
Judge rejects mass killer’s call for open hearing
