Anders Breivik to stay in solitary confinement after moaning about human rights

12 January 2024 , 17:29

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Anders Breivik has failed to appeal the government yet again who say his solitary confinement sentence is justified (Image: NTB/AFP via Getty Images)

Mass murderer Anders Breivik will remain in solitary confinement after a failed appeal against the Norwegian government over his isolation order.

The right-wing murderer who took the lives of 77 in a bomb and gun rampage in Oslo in 2011 had his appeal rejected by the courts, the country's government has confirmed. Breivik killed seven in a bomb attack before slaughtering 69 others while dressed as a policeman, with most of his victims teenagers attending the Utoya Island youth camp.

Breivik, who has since changed his name to Fjotolf Hansen, has said his attack was a crusade against multiculturalism in Norway, and is now set to remain in isolation. Government lawyers confirmed the ruling as they fear any removal from isolation would "inspire others".

Andreas Hjetland, a government lawyer who oversaw the five-day hearing, said: "There is a great danger of violence and that he will inspire others. That is why he has to serve his time under strict security measures. There is simply nothing indicating that Breivik’s human rights are being violated."

It is not the first time Breivik has appealed his ruling, with a similar bid launched between 2016 and 2017 - which was rejected by the European Court of Justice. His second claim, rejected on Friday, January 12, claimed his solitary confinement was in opposition to human rights laws laid out by the European Convention on Human Rights.

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Killer Breivik will remain in isolation until the end of his sentence, which has a rare provision included (NTB/AFP via Getty Images)

His hearing, held in a gymnasium at the Ringerike prison where he is currently being held, heard the mass murderer is suffering from depression. A medical examiner, Janne Gudim Hermansen, says she has never seen Breivik like this before. He was seen crying as evidence was given on Tuesday.

Janne said: "I’ve never seen him like that before - never seen him cry or show much emotion. It may have been his way of showing his despair but I am not sure how credible this was. I think perhaps this was used to achieve something." Breivik is being held in prison for a maximum sentence of 21 years, with a court at the time adding a rare provision meaning he can be held behind bars if he is still considered a danger to society.

Ewan Gleadow