The Neo-Nazi Anders Breivik who killed 77 people in Norway during a terrorist attack in 2011 has today asked a court for parole for the second time.
Breivik has vowed to be a ‘tremendous help to the Norwegian state’ if he is granted parole a request he is widely expected to be denied.
The far right extremist is currently serving a 21 year prison sentence, Norway’s harshest sentence, after he detonated a bomb in Oslo before travelling to the island of Utøya where young Norwegian Labour Party activists had gathered.
Disguised as a police officer Breivik went on a 90 minute killing spree where he slaughtered dozens of people including children as young as 14.
Under Norwegian law, the 45-year-old is allowed to seek conditional early release once a year after having served 10 years of his sentence.
His first parole request in January 2022 was denied, with the court concluding there was a ‘clear risk’ he would resume the behaviour that led to the July 22 2011 attacks.
His lawyer also told reporters his request this time was ‘not so probable.’
Breivik, who has used his previous court appearances to express extremist views, appeared wearing a black suit and tie and carrying a sign with several political messages.
The Neo-Nazi Anders Breivik who killed 77 people in Norway during a terrorist attack in 2011 has today asked for a parole hearing for the second time
What the police believe is gunman Anders Behring Breivik walking with a gun in hand among bodies on Utøya island. Disguised as a police officer Breivik went on a 90 minute killing spree where he slaughtered dozens of people including children as young as 14
Breivik was sentenced to 21 years in jail, the harshest penalty possible under Norwegian law, for killing 77 people in a bomb and gun attack in July 2011. Pictured: The victims of the attack
In a brief statement to reporters before proceedings got underway, Breivik said: ‘If I am given an exit opportunity in the future, I will be a tremendous help to the Norwegian state, and that’s something I take very seriously.’
‘Alternatively, I can keep my mouth shut for the rest of my life. But that’s up to the judge.’
Asked by a reporter whether he regretted his 2011 actions, Breivik replied: ‘I will talk about that in my explanation.’
He was sentenced in 2012 to 21 years in prison which can be extended as long as he is considered a threat to society.
He has been held apart from other inmates in high-security facilities for more than 12 years.
His lawyer lawyer Oystein Storrvik said: ‘We want the court to consider his progression, he has a right to… develop and have better living conditions so he can have some kind of future.’
In February 2024, Breivik lost a lawsuit brought against the Norwegian state in which he argued that his extended isolation was a violation of the European Convention on Human Rights, which prohibits ‘inhumane’ and ‘degrading’ treatment.
The state argued that his strict, yet comfortable, conditions were justified due to the ‘extreme risk of totally unbridled violence’.
Breivik in the courtroom in 2012. he was sentenced that year to 21 years in prison and this can be extended as long as he is considered a threat to society
Breivik, who has used his previous court appearances to express extremist views, appeared wearing a black suit and tie and carrying a sign with several political messages
Storrvik said external psychologists had conducted a comprehensive evaluation of Breivik for the first time in 12 years, and would present their 109-page report to the court.
Storrvik declined to disclose its conclusions but said: ‘I think it can be useful for us.’
Prosecutor Hulda Olsen Karlsdottir told news agency NTB the report had not changed her mind.
‘The new evaluation has not changed the prosecution’s view on the issue of his release,’ she said.
During court hearings earlier this year, Breivik claimed he was depressed and addicted to Prozac, at times breaking down in sobs.
The date for the court’s ruling has yet to be set.