Man Sets Himself On Fire At Norway Killer’s Trial

Man Sets Himself On Fire At Norway Killer’s Trial, An unidentified man set himself on fire Tuesday outside the courthouse where right-wing extremist Anders Behring Breivik is being tried on terror charges for a bombing and shooting massacre on July 22.

A man who set fire to himself outside the courthouse in Oslo Tuesday, May 15, 2012, where the trial of Anders Behring Breivik is taking place, is taken into an ambulance. He was overpowered by security and police personnel as he was running towards the entrance to the courthouse. He was stripped of his burning clothes and is reported to be in a serious condition.

Anders Behring Breivik between 2 police officers prior to taking his seat after a break in the courtroom in Oslo Tuesday morning May 15, 2012. When the trial opened, the self-styled anti-Muslim crusader pleaded innocent to terror charges _ even though he admitted to the facts of the case _ saying he didn’t recognize the authority of the court.

Police operations leader Finn Belle told The Associated Press that the man doused himself in a flammable liquid and set himself on fire outside the entrance to the building.

“There were police officers on site and the fire was put out quickly,” Belle said. “The man received burn injuries and was transported to Oslo University Hospital.”

He said the man’s identity and the motive for his actions were not immediately clear.

Police spokesman Kjell Jan Kverme told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that police believe he is a Norwegian citizen “but we don’t yet know his identity to 100 percent. He is seriously injured. He has wounds on his chest and stomach.”

Asked whether the incident was connected to the trial against Breivik, that has been going on since mid-April, Belle said, “One would think there is one connection or another but we don’t have any information on that.”

Norwegian newspaper VG posted a video clip on its website showing a man running toward the security checkpoint outside the courthouse with flames shooting up from his hat. Another sequence showed police officers tending to him on the pavement outside the checkpoint, removing his burning sweater. (AP)