Oslo mourns
July 29, 2011
Anders Behring Breivik told police he had "several targets" in mind when they quizzed him after the attacks that killed 77 people, police prosecutor Paal-Fredrik Hjort Kraby said Saturday.
"During his interrogations [Breivik] said in general terms that he was interested in other targets," the prosecutor told a press briefing, declining to give details other than "they were targets that would seem natural for a terrorist."
Anders Behring Breivik, 32, a right-wing extremist, confessed to the July 22 shooting attack on a Labour Party summer camp on the island of Utoeya, as well as a car-bomb blast in Oslo's government district earlier the same day.
Oslo daily Verdens Gang (VG) said earlier Saturday that the royal palace was a target because of its symbolic value, and Labour headquarters because of the party's role in creating the multi-cultural society so loathed by Behring Breivik.
Oslo mourns
Norwegians gathered for a memorial ceremony on Friday to pay tribute to the lives lost in last week's deadly twin attacks in and around the capital, Oslo.
Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg hailed the "many heroes" that arose from the bombing in central Oslo and shooting spree at a Labour Party youth camp on Utoeya Island that claimed at least 77 lives.
"The shots hit our youth, but affected a whole nation," Stoltenberg said at the ceremony. "We will have to live with July 22 as ballast. It will be heavy, but together we will manage."
At the same time, the first funerals for victims were being held around Norway.
Foreign Minister Gahr Store spoke at the funeral of 18-year-old Bano Rashid, who migrated to Norway in 1996 before joining the youth wing of the Labour Party.
A funeral was also held for 19-year-old Ismail Haji Ahmed, who was also killed on the island.
'Picture getting clearer'
Meanwhile, Norwegian police were forced to answer more questions on Thursday about their response to the twin attacks.
Police spokesman Johan Fredriksen told reporters that the picture was "getting clearer" and that police would release more details soon.
Prime Minister Stoltenberg had earlier announced the creation of a special commission to investigate the incident.
The authorities have faced strong criticism for what was seen as a slow response.
Police also said they have ended their six-day search for the last of those missing around Utoeya Island, where 68 people were killed in the gun rampage.
Author: Gabriel Borrud, Darren Mara (AFP, dpa)
Editor: Kyle James