Sociologist and Oslo University Professor Thomas Hylland Eriksen believes that this “complex situation” has allowed Breivik to incorporate his profile on the computer game to the real world. 

Eriksen told reporters, "He does not seem to be very successful in distinguishing between the virtual reality of World of Warcraft and other computer games, and reality. So, when he puts on his uniform he is no longer the lone slightly unsuccessful young man from the west end of Oslo, who never completed an education, never did really well in his working life. He becomes a knight, a defender of the civilisation of Europe against the invading Muslims.” 

Late last year, the mass murderer’s half-sister discussed his lack of socialising as he plays too much on consoles, expressing concern about his unemployment.

Defence counsels called Professor Eriksen on yesterday’s day three of the trial because of his writings on multiculturalism in Norway. 

“I expect that they want me to help them substantiate the claim that he was not insane,” he said to Reuters.

“What I can say is that his world view, or large parts of his world view are fairly widely shared, not as it were by a majority of the population in Europe, but by substantial groups who feel that globalisation is not going their way that their country is being invaded by foreign, alien enemy Muslims.”

Breivik is now facing questions about the period of time from 2006 up to and including the 22 July bombing of government headquarters.

After the court was reconvened at 09:02, prosecutor Svein Holden said, “it’s you and I who are going to talk together today."

---