Anders Behring Breivik Killings: Act of a 'Lone Wolf' Terrorist
Norway's top police official announced Thursday that Anders Behring Breivik, the man who has admitted to carrying out the attacks that ravaged Norway, acted alone and without any accomplices or networks in the planning and implementation of his fatal attack.
Prior to Norway's top police official coming out, it had been largely speculated that Breivik had acted alone.
A few days ago, Norwegian domestic intelligence chief, Janne Kristiansen stated, "We don't have any indications that he has been part of a broader movement or that he has been in connection with other cells. He is manipulating us all in the sense that he is keeping us all uncertain."
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Breivik admitted to the massacre and originally told police that he acted alone in the attacks that he described as "gruesome but necessary."
However, he later insisted that he had worked and been in contact with two other terror cells in Norway and numerous others worldwide.
European security officials said that right wing extremism is not currently posing an imminent threat, nor has Europe seen a surge in right-wing terror.
However, the concern all over Europe right now is that the shooting massacre and car bombing that together claimed the lives of 76 could inspire a copycat attack.
Furthermore, EU officials worry that Breivik might typify a new kind of “lone wolf” extremist that is becoming more prevalent on the internet and has the potential to become extremely deadly.
As opposed to a solo terrorist, the “lone wolf” extremist poses a different kind of threat in that they are not as readily detectable based upon their group affiliation.
Furthermore, Breivik, lived a lawful life which enabled him to stay "under the radar of security forces," according to Kristiansen.
An emergency counter-terrorism meeting was held between European Union and Norwegian Representatives that was dedicated to the cooperation and prevention of similar attacks in the future.
EU's principle advisor to the EU's counterterrorism coordinator, Tim Jones, stated that, "Clearly, one major risk is that somebody may actually try to mount a similar attack as a copycat attack or as a way to show support."
The EU has acknowledged that “lone wolf terrorism” may need greater attention, however, it is extremely difficult to predict.
