Norwegian mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik, who was responsible for the deaths of 77 individuals during a bombing and shooting spree in 2011, appeared in court on Tuesday for another parole assessment.
This hearing marks his second attempt for freedom after spending over ten years in detention.
Breivik, 45, is currently serving a maximum sentence of 21 years, and he qualifies for a parole hearing under Norwegian regulations after a decade behind bars.
Since he began his imprisonment in 2012, he has been kept in isolation and has repeatedly claimed that his conditions amount to inhumane treatment in violation of the European Convention on Human Rights; however, these claims have consistently been dismissed by the courts.
Upon his arrival at the courthouse, Breivik was seen dressed in a black suit, with a letter ‘Z’ shaved into the side of his head—a symbol associated with Russian military vehicles in Ukraine, which has gained prominence among supporters of the conflict.
Breivik was observed holding a poster carrying a political statement.
Norwegian authorities have advised against granting his parole, stating there remains a “qualified and real” threat that he could engage in violent conduct if released, as reported by the Norwegian news agency NTB during the proceedings.
Prosecutor Hulda Olsen Karlsdottir pointed out that there has been no change in Breivik’s extremist ideology or political beliefs.
Norwegian officials emphasize that he is entitled to the same rights as other inmates, stating that any preferential treatment would compromise fundamental values like the rule of law and free expression, which are essential to Norwegian society.
Two years prior, Breivik was moved to Ringerike prison, which features a two-story arrangement with amenities including a kitchen, dining area, and a recreational room complete with an Xbox, comfortable seating, and decor like black and white photos of the Eiffel Tower.
Additionally, he has access to a gym equipped with weights, a treadmill, and a rowing machine, and is accompanied by three parakeets that fly freely within the facility.
The current parole request is being considered in a makeshift courtroom located within the Ringerike prison gym, where a similar session took place in January 2022.
At this moment, it remains uncertain when a decision on the matter will be announced.
Breivik was found guilty in 2012 of mass murder and terrorism after a bombing that resulted in eight fatalities in a government building in Oslo, followed by a shooting rampage at Utøya island where he killed 69 participants attending a youth camp organized by the center-left Labor Party.
