Warning: This article contains mention of depression and suicidal thoughts which some readers may find distressing.
Far-right mass killer Anders Breivik filed a human rights case against the Norwegian state over his 'inhumane' prison isolation conditions.
Breivik - convicted of killing 77 people in Norway in 2011 - was sentenced to the maximum civilian criminal penalty which is 21 years in prison.
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He has been held in isolation ever since and, earlier this year, he decided to sue Norwegian authorities over the conditions of where he was being held in a bid to have his conditions relaxed.
Breivik's crimes
On July 22, 2011, Breivik detonated a van bomb at Regjeringskvartalet in Oslo, killing eight people.
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The 45-year-old also carried out a mass shooting on the island of Utøya, killing 69 members of a Workers' Youth League (AUF) summer camp.
In 2012, he was found psychologically fit to stand trial and convicted before being found guilty on terrorism charges. He also confessed to the attacks, however, denied any criminal responsibility, The Independent reported.
He was placed in isolation where he has remained ever since, however, Breivik sued Norwegian authorities in a bid to lift restrictions on his communications with the outside world, claiming the conditions he's being held in are negatively impacting his mental wellbeing so much he 'does not wish to be alive anymore'.
The conditions
Despite having previously stated he 'regret[s] not killing more people,' in January earlier this year, Breivik gave testimony apologizing for the attacks and saying he'd become suicidal over his conditions.
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His lawyer, Oeystein Styorrvi, told Reuters: "He has been isolated for about 12 years... He lives in a completely locked world. He does not wish to be alive anymore."
However, a psychologist performed a fresh risk assessment on Brievik and testified that he was at 'low risk' of suicide and she wouldn't deem him as being depressed.
Lawyers for the justice ministry also argued Brievik has contact with two inmates every other weekend for an hour, alongside contact with health professionals, a priest and guards, so his isolation is 'relative,' LBC reports.
Images of his isolation accommodation have since been shared online.
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One shows a sitting room area with multiple sofas, a large flat-screen TV, gaming consoles, candles, posters and large windows.
While others reveal a large kitchen space, gym room with several machines, an outdoor room with snow and a basketball hoop and an area with some sort of budgies or parakeets in a cage, too.
As one Reddit user said: "F**k, that’s kind of nicer than my apartment…. Look at that kitchen!"
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And a court has since responded to his lawsuit.
Court's response
On Thursday (December 5), a court ruled Breivik's sentencing terms and conditions were 'not a violation of human rights' and were necessary given he's still deemed a threat to society, the BBC reports.
The verdict ruled Breivik is still able to 'stud[y] and work on his political projects' within isolation and enjoys 'relatively great freedom'.
Oslo District Court stated: "In summary, the court has come to the conclusion that the sentencing conditions cannot be said to be, or to have been, disproportionately burdensome."
Breivik's lawyer has stated that he intends to appeal against the ruling, adding: "He is disappointed with the verdict. He has been in isolation for 12 years and easing of his conditions is vital for his wellbeing in the prison."
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
Topics: Crime, True crime, World News, Mental Health
Poppy Bilderbeck