Oslo (dpa) – A Norwegian court on Friday said it would not allow live broadcasts of self-confessed mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik's testimony at his trial, due to open next month. Announcing the decision Friday, Judge Wenche Elizabeth Arntzen noted that Breivik has said his actions were aimed at “creating publicity for his message” and the court “did not want to offer him a platform” by allowing live broadcasts. The 33-year-old was earlier this week charged with terrorism and premeditated murder, in connection with last year's bombing and shooting rampage that claimed 77 lives in Oslo and on a nearby island. However, the Oslo district court ruled that media would be allowed to broadcast Breivik's plea at the opening of the trial, as well as opening and closing statements by the prosecution and defense. Live broadcasts of testimony by survivors of the attacks – including 33 who survived gunshot wounds – would not be permitted. This would also apply for the autopsy reports, the court said. At custody hearings, most recently in February, Breivik has pleaded not guilty, saying the actions were in self-defense and designed to punish the government for its pro-immigration policies. Breivik has via his attorneys said he wanted to explain his actions in detail during the trial. The court said it would rule later on whether to allow live broadcasts of testimony by various expert witnesses, such as police investigators. The trial is scheduled to open April 16. Due to the large number of people affected by the July 22 events and limited space at the Oslo district court house, closed-circuit broadcasts of the trial would be made to 17 other courts around the country. The indictment accuses Breivik of detonating a bomb in a government district in Oslo that killed eight people. He is also accused of killing 69 people during a shooting spree at a Labor Party summer camp on Utoya island. Sixty-seven died of gunshot wounds, while two others drowned or fell to their deaths while trying to flee. Breivik is undergoing a new psychiatric assessment, since the Oslo court has ruled it wants a second opinion on his mental health. An initial finding concluded he was legally insane, suggesting he would be held in a secure psychiatric unit if convicted. The prosecution said it would maintain the right to seek prison for Breivik during the trial. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/i35QO Tags: Breivik, Court, Media, Norway, Trial Section: Europe, Latest News, Media
