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Breivik verdict 'a relief': Swedish Utøya survivor

The Local Sweden
The Local Sweden - [email protected]
Breivik verdict 'a relief': Swedish Utøya survivor

Ali Esbati, a Swede who was on the Norwegian island of Utøya during the massacre last summer, has spoken out about his “relief” to hear that Anders Behring Breivik was sentenced to prison and not psychiatric care on Friday.

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Anders Behring Breivik was found sane and sentenced to 21 years in prison for the bloodbath that left 77 people dead, a decision that was “relieving” for Esbati.

“It’s nice that there was no judicial doubt that Breivik was responsible. It has been so clear throughout that he knew what he did, and that he stood by it,” he told the TT news agency.

Esbati, who was in the Oslo court room for the verdict on Friday, described the mood as “lighter” than it was during the trial.

“It’s not as heavy and fateful as it has been during the trial. Many people feel as though it’s some kind of final point today,” he said.

“What has happened has happened and nothing can bring back those who lost their lives. And the political challenge remains - to combat the opinions and the world view that Breivik stands for,” Esbati said.

Meanwhile, Trine Aamodts, whose 19-year-old son Diderik was killed by Breivik during the massacre, was also content with the verdict.

“I am satisfied. I'm glad he was sentenced as accountable. Finally someone dares to use their head. I am also glad that it was unanimous, now it has become very clear,” she told the Verdens Gang newspaper in Norway.

TT/The Local/og

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