Breivik trial begins in Oslo

Accused mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik gives a clenched-fist salute in an Oslo courtroom.

The Norwegian is charged with gunning down 69 people, including many youth, at a summer camp last July as well as killing another eight in a bombing not far from the court house.

The trial began on Monday, with Breivik refusing to recognize the trial's legitimacy.

(SOUNDBITE)(Norwegian) DEFENDANT, ANDERS BEHRING BREIVIK, SAYING:

"I do not recognise the Norwegian courts. You have received your mandate from political parties which support multiculturalism."

The 10-week trial is the highest profile case in Norway since the Second World War, with prosecutors presenting his alleged crimes in harrowing detail.

(SOUNDBITE)(Norwegian) PUBLIC PROSECUTOR INGA BEJER ENGH SAYING:

"Kristian Rasmussen, born November 7, 1980, was on the second floor in R4 in an office facing Grubbegatan and received serious head injuries between the brain and the outer brain membrane, severe abdominal injuries with inner bleeding and a broken neck."

The five judges overseeing the trial will have to decide whether Breivik is criminally insane due to conflicting diagnoses of his mental health.

Jessica Gray, Reuters