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Friday, March 29, 2024

Experts and hackers aid terror police

Psychiatrists, body language interpreters, code breakers and hackers from around the world are aiding the investigation into the Oslo and Utøya terrorist attacks suspect Anders Behring Breivik, bringing to light new aspects of the case that could reveal further individuals involved in the terrorist plot.

The island of Utøya as seen by television helicopters on the day of the attacks. PHOTO: NRK/Views and News

The search for anyone who knew about the plans or helped Breivik continues. Reports by newspaper Aftenposten suggest that Breivik was seen wearing a “NATO sweater” covered in police markings and with two other men, not thought to be locals, in a grocery store in Kragerø, Telemark, just days before he carried out the attacks. Car monitoring records seen by the newspaper suggest that none of the vehicles registered in Breivik’s names had been driven into Kragerø, suggesting he went there by other means. Police have meanwhile revealed that they have conducted interviews with witnesses in other countries, including some who may not have had direct contact with Breivik.

Breivik ‘on drugs,’ psychiatrists begin work
Investigators have confirmed to Aftenposten that body language experts are present at interrogations of Breivik. The experts are particularly useful in the areas where the suspect is less forthcoming, namely on the two other terrorist “cells” to which he earlier claimed to have a connection. In other areas, police spokesperson Pål-Fredrik Hjort Kraby described Breivik as “calm, willing to cooperate and giving masses of details,” as well as being able to continue for long periods without requesting breaks. Two forensic psychiatrists, Torgeir Husby and Synne Sørheim – well-known for their work on the Faiza kidnapping and murder case – are also beginning their work this week by going through videos of the interviews conducted so far, after which they will meet Breivik in person and go through his manifesto before finishing their work within an 11 November deadline.

Breivik had previously asked to be examined by Japanese psychiatrists because of their “code of honour.” If he is found not to have been accountable for his actions, then he can be forced in psychiatric custody, after which he can still be tried for his crimes. Physical examinations taken after the attacks have already shown that Breivik was under the influence of drugs, which his lawyer Geir Lippestad suggested to newspaper VG were “a cocktail of medicines.”

International effort to crack ‘code’
The investigation has received help from a number of sources, including a Norwegian hacker group called Noria, which is apparently led by a 17 year old boy. The hackers have managed to get access to two of Breivik’s email accounts, handing over all the data they contain to freelance journalist Kjetil Stormark whom they have asked to deliver the information to the police. Stormack told newspaper Dagsavisen that the data could contain useful information about others who were involved in the terrorist plot. Nonetheless, there are concerns that police may be limited in how much of the evidence they can legally use as it has been obtained through hacking.

Investigators are also working on the theory that codes are included in Breivik’s online manifesto. VG reports that global positioning system (GPS) coordinates for potential terror targets in a number of European cities, including Liverpool Street Station in London, are believed to have been masked as footnoted internet addresses. Nevertheless, the majority of addresses referenced point to areas that would not normally be considered terrorist targets. Police spokesperson Hjort Kraby believes that these “could be a part of the plan to get attention.” Over 250 international experts volunteering their time have begun to scour the manifesto for further clues, using a new web portal in order to share information.

As further witnesses have added to reports that Breivik was filming as he carried out the shootings on Utøya, police continue to search for any camera equipment on the island. The suspect also strongly hinted at the possibility of filming his operations in his manifesto. Investigators are already going through all electronic equipment they have found on the island. Police stressed to Aftenposten that they are yet to go through all of the evidence found on Utøya, with spokesperson Hjort Kraby commented that “it could that things have been put in a tent or sleeping bag that could belong to the suspect.”

Damage caused by the Oslo bombing is still visible in the capital as the investigation continues to reveal new details of the attacks. PHOTO: Views and News

Breivik planned ‘stolen plane’ getaway
Breivik has, according to VG, also told police that he originally planned to use a stolen plane from Gardermoen Airport to flee Utøya, but was hindered in his last week of planning by a lack of time. Lawyer Lippestad commented that this shows how his client has “a completely different perception of reality than what is normal.”

It was also revealed to Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) by Lippestad that Breivik had access to a “walkie-talkie” during the incident, which may have been used to listen to local police radio. The local police force is outside of the new secure police communication system that has been introduced in Oslo and some other parts of Norway.

‘Very isolated’ in prison
Police have announced that Breivik is finding it more “difficult” in prison now and have noticed a difference in the suspect more recently, which is partly believed to be caused by the wearing off of the drugs he took beforehand. Lawyer Lippestad has also confirmed to Aftenposten that Breivik has begun to feel “very isolated” in solitary confinement, and has taken up the offer to see the prison chaplain, the only person he can see other than his lawyer and police officers. Chaplain Odd Cato Kristiansen will meet Breivik at some point this week for a normal 45 minute session, stressing that he “endeavours to have an open mind” about all prisoners to whom he is also bound by a duty of confidentiality.

Aftenposten also reports that Breivik has been given access to a computer without internet connectivity in order to write a defense, after he refused the use of paper and pen. Police spokesperson Hjort Kraby told VG that Breivik still shows “no regret” over the attacks.

Meanwhile, it is now believed that the biggest courtroom in Oslo will not be big enough for the case, meaning that a number of other venues are being considered. NRK reports that these including Oslo Spektrum (the capital’s biggest music venue), the Telenor Arena in Fornebu (a football stadium with 15,000 seated capacity) and Norges Varemesse in Lillestrøm (a conference venue). Only two previous cases has been forced into larger venues. The district recorder at Oslo’s courthouse, Geir Engebretsen, told NRK that people must keep “an open mind” about the venue, stressing that “the worthiness, implementation and quality of the work is not dependent on the physical surroundings.”

Views and News from Norway/Aled-Dilwyn Fisher
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