Norway killer asks court for immediate release

Oslo, Feb 7 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Anders Breivik, the Norwegian extremist who killed 77 people in twin attacks in July last year, has asked an Oslo court to release him immediately.

"I do not accept imprisonment. I demand to be immediately released," the mass murderer told the Oslo district court Monday in his last detention hearing before his trial.

Breivik is accused of a bomb attack in Oslo followed by a shooting rampage on nearby Utoya island. Eight people were killed in the bombing while 69 young people were killed on Utoya.

He told the court the massacre was a "preventive attack against state traitors".

About 100 survivors as well as relatives of the victims of the July 22 massacre attended the hearing in Oslo.

Breivik's trial begins in April.

Unlike the previous public hearing, the killer Monday agreed to let himself be photographed before the proceedings began.

--IANS/RIA Novosti

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