The trial of Norway’s horrific killer Breivik
The Oslo, Norway’s confessed mass killer Anders Behring Breivik’s murder trial started in Oslo’s district court in mid-April, 2012. He admitted to killing 77 people including several teenagers.
Who could forget July 22, 2011, the day he shocked the entire world. He began his crime spree by bombing government buildings in Oslo killing eight people. Subsequently, he went to nearby Utoya island where Labor Party youth camp was underway and began shooting randomly killing 69 people mostly teenagers.
His trail is on-going in Oslo at this writing. He demonstrated a right wing salute at the beginning of the trial. He justified the killings as “necessary” and stated that victims betrayed Norway by embracing immigration. Statements made by Breivik at the start of the trial shocked the nation and the world. It indicates a strong hatred towards Norway’s immigration policies.
Since Norway has no death penalty, if convicted, he could be sent to prison for maximum of 21 years for his crimes. However, if he is deemed a threat to the society, he could be further jailed at the end of his term. If he is found insane at the time of killings, he would be confined to psychiatric care.
Another Suicide Car Bombing on Easter Sunday in Kaduna Kills 38
In a series of suicide bombings that have rocked Nigeria recently, Kaduna, the capital of Kaduna state, is now the latest target. These attacks, which took place on Easter Sunday, are considered by authorities to be the work of Boko Haram, a radical Islamist sect known for previous attacks as well.
In describing the suicide attacks, Pastor Raji said, “We were in the Holy Communion service and I was exhorting my people and all of a sudden, we heard a loud noise that shattered all our windows and doors, destroyed our fans and some of our equipment in the church.”
The All Nations Christian Assembly Church and ECWA Good News Church were possible targets of the suicide bomber as the explosives-laden car made an attempt to enter the premises but was stopped by barriers and a security guard.
Even though the blast site was cordoned off quickly by soldiers and the police, the authorities have not been able to verify which group carried out these attacks, even though the general consensus blames Boko Haram for these attacks. However, what makes these latest attacks dangerous is the rising animosity between Muslims and Christians in Kaduna.
According to the spokesperson of the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency, Abubakar Zakari Adamu, 38 people were killed in the blast while several others were suffering from serious injuries and were receiving treatment in nearby hospitals.
Even though churches have increasingly become the target for suicide bombings, Boko Haram, the terrorist group suspected to carry out these attacks, have not only attacked Christians but Muslims and the UN Headquarters in Nigeria as well.