Norwegian Far-Right Extremist Anders Behring Breivik Loses Second Human Rights Lawsuit
Norwegian far-right extremist Anders Behring Breivik, who infamously carried out a bombing and shooting rampage in 2011, recently lost his second attempt to sue the state for what he claimed was a violation of his human rights. Breivik, now known as Fjotolf Hansen, has been serving his prison sentence since 2012 in isolation, and he argued that this amounted to inhumane punishment under the European Convention on Human Rights. However, the Oslo City Court rejected his claim against the Norwegian Justice Ministry.
According to Judge Birgitte Kolrud, Breivik enjoys favorable physical prison conditions and a relatively high level of freedom in his everyday life. The court noted that there has been a clear improvement in the sentencing conditions and found no evidence of permanent damage resulting from the punishment. Unfazed by the ruling, Breivik immediately appealed the decision.
This is not the first time Breivik has sought legal recourse for his perceived mistreatment. He previously lodged similar claims in 2016 and 2017, which were eventually rejected by the European Court of Justice.
After being transferred to Ringerike prison two years ago, Breivik now resides in a two-story complex that includes amenities such as a kitchen, dining room, and a TV room equipped with an Xbox. The walls are adorned with black and white pictures of the Eiffel Tower, adding a touch of normalcy to his surroundings. He also has access to a fitness room complete with weights, a treadmill, and a rowing machine. Additionally, three parakeets freely fly around the complex, providing a semblance of companionship.
Breivik's crimes, committed back in 2011, shocked the world. He was convicted of mass murder and terrorism for a bombing that took the lives of eight people in a government building in Oslo, as well as a shooting massacre on Utøya island where he mercilessly gunned down 69 people at a holiday camp for youth activists from the center-left Labor Party.
Maintaining that his actions were driven by a desire to protect Norway from multiculturalism, Breivik received the harshest sentence available at the time: detention for 21 years with the provision for indefinite detention if he continues to be deemed dangerous. Despite pleading for self-defense during his attacks, he has shown no remorse for his heinous acts and is still considered a threat by the Norwegian authorities.
During the recent hearing, Breivik shed tears, claiming to suffer from depression and suicidal thoughts. However, Janne Gudim Hermansen, the prison-appointed psychiatrist who has been meeting with Breivik since his transfer to Ringerike in 2022, expressed doubt regarding the genuineness of his emotions, stating, 'I think perhaps this was used to achieve something.'
Anders Behring Breivik's name will forever be associated with one of Norway's darkest moments. Even as he seeks legal remedies for his perceived grievances, the court's decision to reject his claim yet again highlights the nation's commitment to upholding the principles of justice while ensuring that those responsible for such horrific acts face appropriate consequences.
