Anders Behring Breivik, Norwegian murderer

Anders Behring Breivik: The Perpetrator of the 2011 Norway Attacks

Fjotolf Hansen, born on 13 February 1979, is widely known by his birth name, Anders Behring Breivik (pronounced [ˈɑ̂nːəʂ ˈbêːrɪŋ ˈbræ̂ɪviːk]), and also by his self-assigned pseudonym, Andrew Berwick. He is a Norwegian far-right domestic terrorist whose name is inextricably linked to the devastating 2011 Norway attacks, which occurred on 22 July 2011. These meticulously planned acts of terror resulted in the deaths of 77 people, marking them as the deadliest attacks in Norway since World War II.

The Chronology of Terror: 22 July 2011

On that tragic day, Breivik executed a two-phase assault that plunged Norway into shock and mourning.

• Oslo Bombing: His initial act involved detonating a powerful van bomb at Regjeringskvartalet, the government quarter in Oslo. This explosion, specifically targeting a building housing the Prime Minister's office and other government ministries, killed eight people and caused extensive structural damage across the city center.
• Utøya Mass Shooting: Approximately two hours later, disguised as a police officer, Breivik arrived at Utøya island, the site of a Workers' Youth League (AUF) summer camp. Here, he carried out a horrific mass shooting, systematically killing 69 participants, many of whom were teenagers and young adults. The AUF is the youth wing of Norway's Labour Party, and the camp was a symbol of democratic engagement for young people.

Trial, Conviction, and Sentencing

Breivik's trial commenced in 2012, drawing international attention to the nature of his crimes and the principles of the Norwegian justice system, known for its emphasis on rehabilitation rather than punitive measures. In July 2012, he was convicted on multiple grave charges:

• Mass murder
• Causing a fatal explosion
• Terrorism

Crucially, after extensive psychiatric evaluations, the court determined that Breivik was sane and fully responsible for his actions. He was found guilty of murdering 77 people.

What was the maximum penalty Anders Behring Breivik received?

Breivik was sentenced to 21 years in prison, which is the maximum fixed-term penalty in Norway. However, his sentence was delivered in a special form of incarceration known as "preventive detention" (forvaring). This unique legal provision requires a minimum of 10 years of incarceration, but critically, it allows for one or more extensions if, at the end of his sentence, he is still deemed a danger to society. In practice, this means Breivik could remain imprisoned indefinitely, effectively serving a life sentence, as long as he poses a threat.

Despite the verdict, Breivik declared that he did not recognize the legitimacy of the court, viewing it as an instrument of the political establishment he opposed. Consequently, he chose not to appeal the decision, stating that doing so would implicitly legitimize the authority of the Oslo District Court.

Background and Evolution of an Extremist

Breivik's journey towards extremism involved several key periods and influences:

• Early Encounters with the Law: At the age of 16, he was arrested for spraying graffiti on walls, an early sign of disregard for authority. He was also notably not chosen for conscription into the Norwegian Armed Forces, a common civic duty in Norway.
• Political Involvement: At 20, he joined the Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet), a right-wing, anti-immigration political party. By 2002, he chaired the local Vest Oslo branch of the party's youth organization. He eventually left the Progress Party in 2006, reportedly finding its approach too moderate.
• Preparation for Attacks: He joined a gun club in 2005, enhancing his proficiency with firearms. Financially, a company he founded was later declared bankrupt. According to Norwegian tax authority figures from 2009, he had no declared income and assets totaling 390,000 kroner (approximately $72,063 at the time). Despite these modest declared assets, he meticulously financed the terror attacks with a total of €130,000, primarily by utilizing nine credit cards to access credit.

Ideological Underpinnings: The "Manifesto"

On the day of the attacks, just before commencing his rampage, Breivik disseminated a voluminous compendium of texts titled "2083: A European Declaration of Independence" via email. This document served as his militant ideological manifesto, outlining his extremist worldview. In it, he expressed fervent opposition to Islam and blamed feminism for what he perceived as a European "cultural suicide." The text explicitly called for the deportation of all Muslims from Europe, articulating his extreme anti-immigrant and anti-multiculturalist views. Breivik stated that his primary motive for carrying out the heinous attacks was to publicize this manifesto and its radical ideology.

Mental Health Assessments: A Contentious Issue

Before his trial, two teams of court-appointed forensic psychiatrists examined Breivik, leading to differing conclusions that sparked public debate:

• First Diagnosis: The initial team diagnosed Breivik with paranoid schizophrenia. This finding, however, was met with significant criticism, partly because it seemed to contradict the highly organized and rational nature of his attacks.
• Second Evaluation: A subsequent, more thorough evaluation concluded that he was not psychotic during the attacks. Instead, this assessment identified that he suffered from narcissistic personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder, conditions that can explain a lack of empathy, grandiosity, and disregard for social norms without necessarily indicating a break from reality.

Ongoing Legal Battles and Imprisonment Conditions

Since his imprisonment, Breivik has repeatedly attempted to challenge his detention conditions and secure his release, often invoking human rights arguments.

Did Anders Behring Breivik sue the Norwegian state over his prison conditions?

Yes, in 2016, Breivik sued the Norwegian Correctional Service, alleging that his solitary confinement violated his human rights under the European Convention on Human Rights. Initially, a lower court ruled in his favor, finding that his isolation was a breach of human rights. However, this ruling was subsequently overturned by a higher court, which concluded that his rights had not been violated, balancing the need for security with his treatment.

Did the European Court of Human Rights consider his case?

In 2017, Breivik filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). After reviewing his application, the ECHR dismissed his case in 2018, upholding the Norwegian judiciary's decision.

Why was Anders Behring Breivik eligible for parole in 2022?

Under Norwegian law, inmates serving preventive detention sentences become eligible to apply for parole after having served a specific minimum portion of their sentence—in Breivik's case, ten years of his twenty-one-year minimum term. Therefore, in January 2022, he stood trial to determine whether the District Attorney's initial decision to refuse his parole request would be reversed or upheld. The court ultimately refused his request for parole, affirming that he remained a significant danger to society.

What are Breivik's current legal actions?

The 2022 parole verdict is currently being appealed. Furthermore, Breivik and his legal team are actively working on a new lawsuit regarding the conditions of his imprisonment, once again alleging violations of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Post-Imprisonment Identity

Since his incarceration, Breivik has continued to express and evolve his extremist ideology. He has openly identified himself as a fascist and a Nazi, aligning himself with white supremacist and ultranationalist movements. Additionally, he claims to practice Odinism, a modern pagan religion that, in some circles, has been appropriated and distorted by white supremacists and neo-Nazis to justify their racist and antisemitic beliefs.