I acted in self-defence: Norwegian mass killer

Oslo - Anders Behring Breivik began his testimony on Tuesday, the second day of his trial.

He began by reading out a written statement, but the presiding judge said he should be prepared to be interrupted and not speak for longer than 30 minutes.

Breivik opened by saying he was “a representative of Norwegian and European resistance movements and the Knights Templar network.” He said he had carried out the most “spectacular operation by a militant nationalist this century.”

“I acted in self-defence on behalf of my people, my culture and my country,” Breivik said at the end of an almost hour-long speech to the court Tuesday.

Breivik warned that he was “100 per cent sure” there would be a civil war between nationalists and internationalists in Europe.

“We (the nationalists) will win at the end, which will end the rule of the extreme leftists,” he said, adding that the July 22 events had been “preventive attacks” in defence of ethnic Norwegians.

After Breivik’s prepared speech, the court adjourned for a lunch recess.

Earlier during the testimony Brevik said, “I was born in a prison where it is not possible to express views freely ... this prison is Norway,” and said he supported the Japanese and South Korean cultures as “ideals,” describing them as technologicially-advanced societies and monocultures, when the judge interrupted and said he should stick to talking about Norway.

He rarely looked up from his manuscript, and after half an hour was asked to prepare to wind up.

Breivik said he had condensed his script from 20 pages to 13, and his lawyer Geir Lippestad appealed that Breivik be allowed to continue.