Breivik charged with terrorism

Lawyers for mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik arrive at the prison where he is being held on the outskirts of Oslo.

The Norwegian anti-immigration extremist - seen here in a February court hearing - killed 77 people in a bombing and shooting massacre last July.

In accordance with Norwegian law his lawyers presented their client with the charges against him before they were publicly announced.

(SOUNDBITE)(Norwegian) ANDERS BEHRING BREIVIK'S LAWYER TORD JORDET SAYING:

"We think it will take a few hours. The charges themselves won't take such a long time but we also want to speak to him at length afterwards and also about other things concerning the case."

Breivik has formally been charged with terrorism and pre-meditated murder.

He has admitted carrying out a July bomb attack that killed eight people at the government headquarters in Oslo, followed by a gun massacre hours later at a summer camp on Utoeya Island which killed 69 - mainly teenagers.

The prosecution has said it will seek a sentence of psychiatric care provided the results of a second examination do not contradict the initial diagnosis of psychosis.

Otherwise, they will demand the maximum of 21 years in prison with the proviso that custody can be extended if he is considered likely to repeat his crimes.

Nick Rowlands, Reuters.