OSLO. -The 33-year-old, Anders Behring Breivik, who bombed government buildings killing 77 and injuring 242 people and then shot at a number of Labor Party supporters in July 2011, was sentenced to 21 years in prison on Friday, after a court ruled him sane.
Judge Wenche Elisabeth Arntzen stated, "in a unanimous decision ... the court sentences the defendant to 21 years of preventive detention," as reported by NBC News.
The sentence might seem small considering the extent of damage done, however in Norway 21 years is the maximum sentence one can receive for crimes lesser than genocide or war-crimes. However, according to Norwegian laws the sentence can be extended if the convicted is still considered a threat to society after serving the term. Experts say that Breivik will likely spend the rest of years behind bars.
Norwegians, particularly surviving victims and family are pleased with the sentencing. Survivor Tore Sinding Bekkeda told CBS News, "I am very relieved and happy about the outcome... I believe he is mad, but it is political madness and not psychiatric madness...He is a pathetic and sad little person."
Breivik defense attorney Geir Lippestad told CBS, "He has always seen himself as sane so he isn't surprised by the ruling."
During the closing of the 10 week trial in July, the 33-year-old Breivik delivered a 45 minute speech to the court explaining how his attack was intended to save Norway from becoming a "multicultural hell," specifically targeting the country's Muslim diaspora. According BBC analyst Lars bevanger, Breivik talked about his hatred for non-ethnic Norwegians.
Breivik's defense lawyer argued "The mother of these actions is not violence, it is an extreme, radical, political attitude, and his actions must be perceived from the point of view of right-wing extremist culture," as reported by BBC News.
Breivik claims that he is not insane and that he should be acquitted.
Breivik has openly admitted on various occasions to the killings, he claims that he has no regrets about what he had done.
In July 2011, Breivik bombed an Oslo government building which killed eight people. Then he went on a shooting rampage at the camp of the Workers' Youth League (AUF) of the Labor Party killing 63 people, most of whom were teenagers.
He has received his own private psychiatric ward at the Ila Prison in Oslo, where he will serve his sentence.
Authorities announce that the measure comes as an additional effort to ensure that the mass murderer will be securely held without any chances of escape or causing any damage within the prison.
Watch video of sentencing here.
