STOCKHOLM: Norwegian right-wing extremist Anders Behring Breivik said on Thursday that he has become “more radical” during the roughly five years he has spent isolated in incarceration.
Breivik has sued the Norwegian state and prison authorities, arguing he has been subjected to unreasonable restrictions while serving his 21-year sentence for killing 77 people in twin bombing and shooting attacks in 2011.
“Until now I have lied to myself,” he testified at an appeal court hearing. “I am really harmed by the isolation and radicalisation is likely the most serious isolation injury.” The Nazi salute he made at the opening of the hearing on Tuesday was an example, he said, stating that as he mainly kept to himself he lacked being told what was inappropriate behaviour.
His isolation and censored correspondence are among the main issues he and his attorney, Oystein Storrvik, have raised.
During cross examination by state attorney Fredrik Sejerstad, Breivik was asked about the July 2011 attacks and if he had any remorse. Breivik replied “the act was too large to choose a different narrative.”
Breivik conceded that his lawsuit had partly been aimed to raise attention for his political views, but also to achieve better conditions and that was now his main focus. He had, however, dropped plans to read a prepared speech.
During a recess after Breivik’s testimony, Sejerstad said in his view Breivik was “very hard to gauge” and the prison service had to take that into account when dealing with him, he told Oslo daily VG’s online television.
The appeal court ruled that no media were allowed to broadcast Breivik’s testimony, but several media outlets posted transcripts of his remarks online. Opening statements by the state attorney and Breivik’s lawyer were aired earlier. Thursday was the third day of the appeal court hearing, which for security reasons is being held at the Skien high security prison,where Breivik has been incarcerated since 2013.
Living space for the 37-year-old consists of three cells. He also has access to an exercise area, but is denied contact with other inmates at the prison.
During testimony, Breivik said he wanted to have contact with other inmates. Storrvik said in his opening statement there was a “black list” of addresses who never received letters from Breivik and underlined that Breivik only met professionals while in prison.
Psychiatrist Randi Rosenqvist, who has assessed Breivik since his arrest, told the court in her view he was not isolated in psychiatric terms as he has daily contact with several people. The hearing concludes on Wednesday with closing statements.
Due to security reasons, the appellate court hearing is being held in the sports hall of Skien prison, where Breivik is incarcerated.
A district court in April ruled that some of the conditions under which Breivik lives are “inhumane and degrading,” violating the European Convention of Human Rights. That court, however, rejected the 37-year-old’s complaints that his correspondence is censored. Both the state and Breivik appealed the 2016 ruling.
Breivik was sentenced in August 2012 for attacks in 2011, which targeted government buildings in Oslo and a political youth camp organised by the Labour Party on the island of Utoya near thecapital. — dpa
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