SUPPORT GROUP: Tor-Inge Kristoffersen was the first officer on duty in the government quarter when the bomb went off on July 22, 2011. Now he is deputy leader of the support group for the relatives. Photo: Terje Bringedal / VG Anders Behring Breivik will appear in court on Tuesday, after requesting his release. The support group for the relatives after July 22 says that the media coverage is stressful.
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– There are many who dread the trial, and especially the media coverage that comes then. I know that there are some who unsubscribe from the news picture all week to avoid that burden, says Tor-Inge Kristoffersen.
He has been the deputy leader of the support group for many years after July 22, and was also the first officer on duty in the government quarter when the bomb went off.
In 2020, Anders Behring Breivik applied for release from prison, in connection with the minimum period for the detention sentence he expired in June last year. The case will be heard in a temporary courtroom in the gymnasium of Telemark prison on Tuesday.
– I hope the media shows moderation with the use of images and the big, spectacular headlines. There are many who get a little shock, even though they may be prepared for it to come, says Kristoffersen.
– The constant reminder when you go to the online newspaper , or enter the store and see a big picture of the terrorist on the front page, it is heavy for many, he says, and adds that the same applies when people share posts about the terrorist on social media .
Section 40 of the Penal Code gives the courts the opportunity to give the most dangerous criminals an indefinite sentence. Detention can be imposed when there is a danger of new serious crimes after serving time and ordinary imprisonment is not considered sufficient to protect society. The court shall set a time frame with a maximum time and a minimum time. The maximum period may not exceed 30 years. In the case of a custodial sentence, the convicted person may in principle risk sitting behind the walls for the rest of his life, as the sentence can be extended by up to five years at a time after the minimum period has expired. Convicts, on the other hand, can request to be released on probation as soon as the minimum period has expired. Then only one year after the detention sentence or a sentence that denies parole is final. It is especially where persons have committed several serious crimes of gain, sexual crimes, aggravated violence or murder, that detention is relevant.
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– Uses the media and the trial as a rostrum
The leader of the support group, Lisbeth Røyneland, has previously stated to NTB that she fears that mention of Breivik in connection with the trial may be retraumatizing.
Kristoffersen describes it as if you suddenly get a lump in your stomach.
– You get a picture, and maybe the rest of the day will be ruined, he says.
– The pressure around July 22 was also high in connection with the tenth anniversary this summer. What is different now?
– It is probably that there is now a lot of focus on the terrorist as a person. No one believes that he will actually be released, but that he simply uses the media and the trial as a lectern to spread his message.
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RETRAUMATIZING: The support group after July 22 fears that it will be retraumatizing that Anders Behring Breivik is mentioned in the media. Photo: Kyrre Lien / VG The role of first duty officer in the government quarter on July 22 led to Kristoffersen being the first witness called in the trial against Breivik in 2012. This has helped him process what happened.
– For me personally, it goes well. I have been active in the support group for many years now, and have been exposed to many of these things. It’s the same thing that I testified during the trial when he sat right next to me.
– But I know that there are many who struggle, he adds.
A great strain
Tarjei Jensen Bech was one of the youth politicians who was on Utøya on 22 July 2011.
– It is a great burden, you are reminded of it. It’s happening in the news picture, says Bech and adds:
– So it is clear that you get some of the inner reactions back.
Today he is still active in politics and is county mayor for Troms and Finnmark.
There was never any alternative for him to give in to politics after July 22.
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STILL ACTIVE: Bech did not resign as a politician and until recently was deputy mayor of the County Deputy Mayor of Troms and Finnmark. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB – For my own part, it was a bit about that I wanted to make a difference. Continue to contribute to the Labor Party as well. There were so many on Utøya who were killed for what they believed in, he says.
Miriam Einangshaug was also on Utøya almost 11 years ago. Today, she is a board member of the support group after 22 July. She hopes the media show caution when covering the trial.
– It is of course a demanding situation for us who are directly affected. At least I hope the media is careful. It can potentially be a demanding week for many.
– What must the media take care of?
– Think about image use, headline use. There are many who find this very demanding.
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