Norway suspect tells attorney that attacks were ‘necessary,’ newspaper reports
Anders Behring Breivik, the suspect in Norway’s twin terrorist attacks, has acknowledged that he was responsible for both criminal acts but told his lawyer that “it was necessary,†according to the Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang.
“He has stated that it was cruel that he had to perform these actions, but in his mind it was necessary,†defense attorney Geir Lippestad told reporters as he left the police station late Saturday night, reported the newspaper, commonly known as VG.
According to VG, the lawyer was clearly affected by his conversation with Breivik and said it was difficult “to give a reasonable explanation as to why someone kills close to 100 innocent people.â€
Breivik told Lippestad that he would provide further explanation when they meet again on Sunday, the paper reported.
Lippestad said he thought carefully about his decision to represent Breivik when asked to do so by the Oslo police Saturday, but he concluded that it is “an important democratic principle that everyone, even in a case like this, is entitled to a defense,†VG quoted him as saying.
Breivik is scheduled to be arraigned in Oslo city court on Monday.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
