OSLO, Norway, April 17 (UPI) -- Anders Behring Breivik Tuesday told an Norwegian court his killing of 77 people last July was a "sophisticated political act" and he would do it again.
In the second day of an anticipated 10-week trial in Oslo, Breivik testified, describing his assault as "the most spectacular sophisticated political act in Europe since the Second World War," saying his actions were justified because they sought to repel a supposed Muslim invasion of Europe.
He also told the court he would do it again.
Although Breivik pleaded not guilty to killing eight people in an Oslo car bombing, then killing 69 more, and injuring hundreds, in a shooting rampage at a youth camp on Utoya Island last July 22, he has admitted his actions. He is charged with voluntary homicide and committing acts of terror.
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Permitted by the court to read a 13-page statement, Breivik explained his objection to what he considered excessive immigration, particularly of Muslims, to Europe. Claiming to speak for an alleged Norwegian and international resistance group, he also referenced a network he called the Knights Templar.
Prosecutors call the Knights Templar a figment of Breivik's imagination, The Wall Street Journal reported.
CNN reported when parts of a self-produced video manifesto called "Knights Templar 2083" was presented in court Monday, Breivik seemed to be overcome with emotion.
The chief judge of the five-judge panel, Wenche Elizabeth Arntzen, interrupted Breivik's remarks several times, urging him to reduce the rhetoric. He has been allocated five days of testimony to justify his demand for an acquittal.
Lawyers for the prosecution and the defense agree the central issue will be whether Breivik is sane, The New York Times said. A ruling of insanity would negate his cause, Breivik claimed in court.
Breivik faces at least 21 years in jail or compulsory confinement for mental care. Norway has no death penalty.
One of the lay judges, a member of the public not trained in law, was replaced on the panel of judges after it was revealed by the Norwegian newspaper VG he had suggested in a Facebook entry the death penalty was "the only fair outcome in this case," the Wall Street Journal said Tuesday.
