Far-Right Terrorist Anders Breivik Will Try For Parole Today After Serving Half His Sentence

Far-right terrorist Anders Breivik will launch a petition for parole today (January 18) despite serving less than half of his sentence.

The mass murderer killed 77 people in Norway back in 2011 during a coordinated bomb and gun attack.

He was sentenced to 21 years behind bars and Sky News reports he has shown no remorse for his horrific actions.

However, Breivik believes he's now no longer a danger to the community and wants to be freed from prison.

The parole hearing is expected to last three days, according to the Associated Press, however experts don't believe he will get his freedom.

Berit Johnsen, research professor at University College of Norwegian Correctional Service, explained: "That is unlikely to happen.

"I think it is quite obvious that there still is a high risk that he will commit new crimes if he is released."

Having remorse reportedly isn't a necessary requirement for parole but Breivik will have to try to convince the panel he won't harm the community if he was to be released.

Breivik's lawyer, Oystein Storrvik said: "According to the law there is no obligation that you have to be remorseful. So it is not a legal main point. Absolutely the legal problem is whether he is dangerous."

Some are concerned the parole hearing will give Breivik a platform to espouse his extremist views once again.

He's expected to bring a Swedish neo-Nazi called Per Oberg to speak in his defence.

Lisbeth Kristine Ryneland, who leads a local family and survivors support group, said: "I think he is doing this as a way of getting attention.

"The only thing I am afraid of is if he has the opportunity to talk freely and convey his extreme views to people who have the same mindset."

In 2016, he did a Nazi salute during his human rights lawsuit against the Norwegian government.

He complained that he was being isolated from other prisoners, was constantly strip searched, and was handcuffed during his incarceration.

He actually won that case, however an appeal was launched and the decision was eventually overturned by a higher court.

On 22 July 2011, Breivik launched his plan that he had spent nine years crafting.

He detonated a bomb outside the Norwegian parliament in Oslo, which killed eight people, before travelling to the island of Utoya.

The Labour Party's youth chapter was hosting its annual summer camp on the island and Breivik opened fire on the group, killing 69 people, many of them being teenagers.

He eventually surrendered to police and was convicted in 2012 of of mass murder, causing a fatal explosion, and terrorism.

Breivik received the harshest sentence Norwegian law would allow: 21 years behind bars, with a minimum non-parole period of 10 years.

Now that his non-parole period is up, it's clear Breivik wants out.

However, there was a rare clause put in place in his sentencing, which allows him to be kept in prison indefinitely if he's considered a risk to the community.

The only issue with that arrangement is that he is eligible to apply for parole every year.

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