The man suspected of twin deadly attacks in Norway is “the devil’s spawn,” Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s spokesman said on Monday, after suspect Anders Behring Breivik’s admiration of the premier was revealed.
Far-right extremist Breivik - who labeled many other world leaders “traitors” in his online manifesto - called Putin “a decisive leader, deserving of respect.”
“This man is the devil’s spawn,” Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the Kommersant daily. “Completely insane. And whatever he wrote or said cannot be called anything but the ravings of a madman.”
Breivik, who appeared in court earlier on Monday charged with carrying out a bomb attack in Oslo and a mass shooting at a youth camp near the capital, said his actions were “a signal” for Norwegians to act to prevent the rise of multiculturalism.
He also praised Russia’s pro-Putin Nashi (Our) youth movement in his 1,500-page manifesto, calling it an “untainted” organization.
The group was quick to distance itself from the suspect’s writings.
"Breivik pursued the goal of destabilizing the situation in Norway and drawing attention to his fascist ideas,” a Nashi spokeswoman said.
“The Nashi movement is known for its uncompromising fight against fascism and we believe we should not react to statements by psychopaths and fascists," the spokeswoman went on.
Police revised downwards the death toll on Monday from both attacks from 93 to 76.
