21 Years for 83 Murders?

Andres Behring Breivik, the Norwegian man accused of launching dual terror attacks in Oslo and at a nearby youth summer camp--which left at least 76 people (mostly teenagers) dead--has admitted responsibility for plotting and carrying out his vicious attacks. 

Police and the Norwegian government have labeled the attacks as acts of terrorism, which according to the nation’s law, is only punishable by up to 21 years in prison. The benevolence of Norwegian law has recently come under fire as result of the country’s juridical limits in regards to punishing such vile acts. Norway does not practice the death penalty nor do they institute consecutive sentences. 

Breivik, through his malicious and ungodly acts, hoped to trigger a nationalist revolution in Norway; however, his double act of mass murder and mayhem can only stir, in regards to punishment, a dignified defiance from his nation’s government. 

If convicted on all charges of terrorism, Brevik faces 21 years in prison. Although Brevik has told the authorities that he does not expect to be released, 21 years is the stiffest sentence a Norwegian judge can hand down. That being said, a special sentence can be administered to add an extra 9 years to Brevik’s sentence—the additional years are permitted if the individual is deemed as a “threat to society.” 

Monday’s court proceedings were delayed as protestors attempted to block police from bringing Brevik from his cell to the courthouse. Brevik admits responsibility for his heinous murders but refuses to acknowledge the illegality of his actions—he claims the bombing in downtown Oslo and shooting over 80 teenagers and camp participants were  “necessary.”