OSLO: Anders Behring Breivik, the far-right fanatic who killed 77 people in twin attacks in Norway in 2011, remains “very dangerous” and should be kept in isolation in prison, a court heard on Friday.

The 44-year-old is suing the Norwegian state in a bid to end his years of isolation in prison and lift restrictions on his correspondence with the outside world.

He has been held in isolation ever since he killed eight people with a car bomb in Oslo and gunned down 69 others, most of them teenagers, on Utoeya island.

Andreas Hjetland, representing the justice ministry, said in his closing argument on Friday “there is no ground for the allegation that Breivik’s human rights are being violated”.

“Breivik remains very dangerous,” he told the court. “There is still a great danger he can commit violence or that he can inspire others (to commit violence).”

As in previous days, Breivik shook his head in disagreement at several of the points Hjetland made.

Breivik had the possibility to make short remarks at the close of the hearing. He chose not to.

Lisbeth Roeyneland, whose 18-year-old daughter, Synne, was murdered by Breivik at Utoeya and who followed the hearing this week, said she expected Breivik to lose his case.

“He has shown no regret,” she said, speaking at an Oslo courtroom where the case was broadcast. For security reasons, the hearing took place in Breivik’s prison.

“He whispered that he was sorry for what he did without feelings nor empathy. But when he talks about himself, the body language is in place and he can press out a few crocodile tears.”

Published in Dawn, January 13th, 2024