INQUISITR.COM / News & Politics

Norway Mass Murderer Sues: Anders Breivik Gives Nazi Salute As Human Rights Trial Begins

By Shaunee Flowers
Published on: 05:24 PST, Mar 15, 2016

Anders Breivik made his first public appearance since his 2012 trial in Norway for killing 77 people just one year prior. The mass murderer is suing Norway for human rights violations, complaining of unfit living conditions in the prison where he is housed. Ironically, as Breivik entered the courtroom, the 37-year-old anti-Muslim militant gave a Nazi salute before being seated.

Breivik is suing Norway for allegedly breaking the European Convention by keeping him in isolation for nearly five years, according to the New York Daily News. Breivik claimed to be protesting his punishment by way of a hunger strike back in October 2015. Obviously, the convicted killer has been eating in the months since his threat, though, and Breivik looks as if he has been eating just fine.

Breivik’ lawyer, Oystein Storrvik, is representing the Norway mass murderer in his lawsuit against the Norwegian government. He stated that since Breivik will likely be spending the rest of his life in jail, solitary confinement of his client is “inhumane.”

“This case is about something much more than what many people think, just a lawsuit brought to allow Breivik back into the spotlight to explain himself,” Storrvik said. “This case is simply about his detention conditions for the rest of his life.”

Breivik was convicted of killing eight people in a bomb explosion outside a government building in Oslo. The confessed killer murdered another 69 people, mostly teenagers, at a Labour Party summer camp also in July 2011. Breivik was sentenced to the maximum of 21 years for the terrorist attacks, but his sentence can be extended if he is still deemed a danger to society.

During his 2012 trial, Anders Breivik entered the courtroom and made his version of a closed-fisted Nazi salute many times in front of the families of his victims. The act was considered “incredibly provocative,” according to the Guardian. When Breivik entered the courtroom again on Monday during the first day of his four-day bench trial in the gymnasium inside the prison, he lifted his arm for an open-handed Nazi salute.

“He wants contact with other people,” Breivik’s attorney Oeystain Storrvik told Reuters, shooting down the idea that Breivik just wanted back into the public spotlight.

The notorious Norway mass murderer is held in a high-security facility near Oslo. Breivik lives in almost total isolation, and his only contact is with prison staff and his own attorney. The only person to visit Anders Breivik was his own mother in 2013 before she died of cancer.

Breivik’s living area has a kitchen, a television, and a computer that is not hooked up to the internet. All of his communication with staff happens through a thick glass window, and he never is allowed contact with other inmates. Breivik’s isolation is reportedly a measure to prevent him from converting other inmates to his extremist anti-Muslim beliefs.

In 2014, Breivik used the threat of a hunger strike in order to obtain a PlayStation 3. At the time, he also complained about the view outside his prison window as well as the blankets that he was given. Prison officials continue to censor Breivik’s mail and strictly control who is allowed to visit in order to keep the convicted killer from setting up an extremist anti-Muslim network.

The convicted Norway mass murderer claims that his isolation is the reason that Breivik dropped out of the political science courses that he was taking through the University of Oslo. Storrvik argues that Breivik is suffering “clear damage” from the extreme isolation.

While Breivik has made his sentence sound pretty horrific, the Norway mass murderer actually has the use of three cells and has plenty of room to move about. One cell is for Breivik to live, another for studying, and the third cell for physical exercise. Additionally, Breivik is able to cook his own meals and wash his own clothes within the confines of his solitary space.

While admitting that Breivik’s solitary sentence is “unpleasant,” Marius Emberland, the lawyer from the office of the attorney general, said, “Put simply, Breivik is an extremely dangerous man.”

Emberland argued that Norway is “well within the limits of what is permitted” by the European Convention.

The human rights hearing for Anders Breivik will last until Friday and is being broadcast on Norwegian television. Breivik is expected to testify on Wednesday and that will not be broadcast out of respect for the Norway mass murderer’s victims.

[Photo by Frank Augstein/AP]

Share this article: Norway Mass Murderer Sues: Anders Breivik Gives Nazi Salute As Human Rights Trial Begins
norway
More from Inquisitr