OSLO, Norway — The self-described perpetrator of one of the worst modern mass murders in peacetime told Norwegian authorities that that he expects to spend the rest of his life in prison but two other cells of his terror network remain free, officials said Monday.
Anders Behring Breivik has admitted bombing Norway's capital and opening fire on a political youth group retreat, but he entered a plea of not guilty, saying he wanted to save Europe from Muslim immigration.
Prosecutor Christian Hatlo told reporters that Breivik was very calm and "seemed unaffected by what has happened." He said Breivik told investigators during his interrogation that he never expected to be released.
Police announced, meanwhile, that they had dramatically overcounted the number of people slain in a shooting spree at a political youth group's island retreat and were lowering the confirmed death toll from 86 to 68.
The overall toll in the attack now stands at 76 instead of 93. Police spokesman Oystein Maeland said that higher, erroneous figure emerged as police and rescuers were focusing on helping survivors and securing the area, but he did not immediately explain more about how the overcounting occurred.
Police also raised the toll from a bombing outside the government's headquarters in Oslo before the shooting spree, from seven to eight.
Peaceful, liberal Norway has been stunned by the bombing in downtown Oslo and the shooting massacre at a youth camp outside the capital, which the suspect said were intended to start a revolution to inspire Norwegians to retake their country from Muslims and other immigrants. He blames liberals for championing multiculturalism over Norway's "indigenous" culture.
Police have said Breivik used two weapons during the rampage — both of which were bought legally, according to the manifesto. A doctor treating victims told The Associated Press that the gunman used illegal "dum-dum"-style bullets bullets designed to disintegrate inside the body and cause maximum internal damage.
Police say a gunman killed 68 people on Utoeya Island, where hundreds of young people had gathered for a summer camp organized by the ruling Labour Party. Officials say the previous figure was inflated due to confusion at the site. They also raised the number of people killed in a car bombing in Oslo's government district to eight
The 32-year old suspect, Anders Behring Breivik, made his first court appearance at a closed hearing in Oslo. He has confessed to both attacks, while denying he committed any crime.
After the hearing, the judge reported Breivik said he wants to "save Europe" from a Muslim takeover and belongs to a network with two other cells.
The court ordered Breivik to be detained for eight weeks, including solitary confinement for the first four weeks. The judge said the measures are necessary to prevent the suspect from interfering with the police investigation.
According to prosecutors, Breivik said he expects to spend the rest of his life in prison.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg led the nation in a minute of silence for the victims of the attacks, the deadliest in Norway since World War II. He announced the start of the silent tribute on the steps of Oslo University, flanked by Norway's king and queen.
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