Christopher Etter

On July 22, 2011, Anders Behring Breivik carried out two devastating domestic terrorist attacks in Norway. The first was a car bombing in Oslo's government quarter, killing eight people and injuring over 200. The second, occurring less than two hours later, was a mass shooting at a youth summer camp on the island of Utøya, where 69 individuals were killed and 33 injured. These attacks marked the deadliest incident in Norway since World War II.

Breivik, a 32-year-old far-right extremist, was apprehended on Utøya. His trial began in April 2012, during which he confessed to the attacks but denied criminal culpability, asserting a defense of necessity. He was convicted and sentenced to 21 years of preventive detention, the maximum penalty in Norway, with the possibility of indefinite extensions.

Preparations for the attacks began as early as 2009. Breivik attempted to acquire weapons in Prague but was unsuccessful. He later procured firearms and explosives components legally in Norway, utilizing a sole proprietorship called Breivik Geofarm, ostensibly for agricultural purposes, to purchase large quantities of fertilizer. He also reportedly used video games, such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, as training aids.

Anders Behring Breivik meticulously planned the 2011 terrorist attacks, beginning preparations around 2009. His efforts included an unsuccessful attempt to acquire weapons in Prague, where he noted the city's reputation for illicit trade but also expressed concerns about personal safety. He acquired a police uniform and false identification, intending to use these to gain access and sow confusion. Back in Norway, Breivik obtained firearms legally, using a hunting license and a clean criminal record as justification. He also purchased components for explosives, notably large quantities of fertilizer, through a business he established under the name Breivik Geofarm. This company, presented as an agricultural venture, served as a front to acquire materials for bomb-making without raising suspicion. His preparations also involved weapons training, which he reportedly supplemented with video games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.

The first attack occurred at 15:25:22 CEST on July 22, 2011, when a car bomb detonated in Oslo's Regjeringskvartalet, the executive government district. The bomb, placed in a van, exploded near the prime minister's office and other government buildings, killing eight people and injuring at least 210. Shortly thereafter, Breivik traveled to the island of Utøya, where the youth wing of the Norwegian Labour Party was holding a summer camp. Disguised as a police officer, he gained access to the island and proceeded to open fire on the attendees. This shooting resulted in the deaths of 69 people and left 33 injured, making it the deadliest attack in Norway since World War II.

Following the attacks, Anders Behring Breivik was arrested by Norwegian police on Utøya island. His trial took place in Oslo District Court from April to June 2012. Breivik admitted to carrying out the attacks but pleaded not guilty, claiming he acted in self-defense and necessity. He was found guilty and sentenced to 21 years of preventive detention, the longest possible sentence in Norway, which can be extended indefinitely in five-year increments for public safety reasons. The attacks prompted significant national and international reactions, with many countries and organizations expressing solidarity with Norway and condemning the violence. An official report, the Gjørv Report, later concluded that the police could have prevented the bombing and apprehended Breivik more quickly, and that preparedness measures should have been enhanced.