Breivik seeks parole thirteen years after July 22 terror attacks in Norway

The case is evolving. On the second day of court proceedings, the expert witnesses were positioned near the witness stand as Anders Behring Breivik entered the courtroom. Similar to the previous day, Breivik presented himself to the media with a poster in front of him and made hand gestures associated with far-right extremists, including those used by terrorist Brenton Tarrant.

Breivik is seeking parole, thirteen years after the July 22 terror attacks. According to court psychiatrists, little has changed since that event.

The attacks of July 22, 2011, resulted in the deaths of 77 individuals and injuries to approximately 90 others across two locations: a shooting spree on Utøya Island and a bombing in Oslo’s government district. Breivik was sentenced to 21 years of preventive detention for these crimes.

During the court session, specialists Kåre Nonstad and Pia Jorde Løvgren provided their first comprehensive assessment of Breivik since 2012. They reported no signs of schizophrenia or psychosis but diagnosed him with severe narcissistic and dissocial personality disorders, characterized by a profound need for attention, a grandiose self-image, and a lack of empathy.

Løvgren emphasized the continued threat Breivik poses, stating that his extremist ideology remains unchanged and that he primarily identifies as part of a radical collective rather than as an individual. Current assessments indicate that the risk of violent actions remains significant should he be released or transferred to a lower-security facility.

The experts noted that changing Breivik’s mindset would be difficult without proper socialization with individuals holding differing views. Prosecutors pointed out that the understanding of extremist ideologies has advanced significantly since 2011, suggesting that the complexities of Breivik’s situation require nuanced insights beyond personality disorders alone.