In a high-security prison in Norway, far-right fanatic and mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik has filed a lawsuit against the state, accusing it of abusing his human rights. Breivik, who infamously killed 77 individuals in a bombing and shooting rampage in 2011, appeared in court on Monday to present his case. The 44-year-old hopes to end his years of isolation by forcing the authorities to address his claims.
Breivik’s lawyer, Oeystein Storrvik, argued that the conditions of his client’s detention constitute a violation of his human rights. Storrvik emphasized that Breivik has been isolated for approximately 12 years and only interacts with professionals, without any contact with fellow inmates. It has been claimed that this isolation has led Breivik to become suicidal, relying on antidepressant medication.
This is not the first time Breivik has attempted legal action to challenge his isolation. In 2016-17, he appealed to the European Court of Justice, but his plea was denied. Undeterred, he is now suing the state while also seeking to have restrictions on his correspondence lifted.
Breivik’s heinous acts involved detonating a car bomb in Oslo, claiming eight lives, before carrying out a massacre of 69 individuals, mostly teenagers, at a Labour Party youth camp. This event marked Norway’s worst peacetime atrocity. Currently held in a dedicated section of Ringerike prison, Breivik enjoys certain privileges such as access to a training room, kitchen, TV room, and a bathroom. He is even allowed to keep three pet budgerigars, which are free to fly within the designated area.
Representatives of the justice ministry argue that Breivik must be kept separated from the general prison population due to the ongoing security threat he poses. They contend that his isolation is not absolute, as he maintains contact with guards, a priest, health professionals, and had an outside volunteer until recently. The ministry’s lawyers assert that restrictions on his contact with the outside world are necessary to prevent him from inspiring others to commit acts of violence, particularly within far-right circles.
Breivik’s influence as an extremist figure was evident when he was cited as an inspiration by Brenton Tarrant, the individual responsible for the Christchurch mosque shootings in New Zealand in 2019, which claimed 51 lives.
The judge overseeing the case will issue a verdict in the coming weeks. It is important to note that Breivik was sentenced to 21 years of detention in 2012, with the provision for indefinite detention if he continues to be considered dangerous.
