Norway mass killer applies for university place
Print Edition
Convicted mass killer Anders Behring Breivik has applied for admission to the University of Oslo, testing the limits of Norway’s commitment to rehabilitate criminals rather than punish them.
The right-wing extremist, who killed 77 people in bomb and gun attacks two years ago, wants to study political science. University officials say he could do his studies in his cell if accepted.
“In Norway — and I’m proud of this — we have a system where inmates, in general, can apply to study at universities, most of them from their own cell, so it will be distance learning,” said Ole Petter Ottersen, the rector of the University of Oslo.
“This is a principle that is put in place to help the inmate get back to society.”
Ottersen said he couldn’t comment on prospective students but added it was “publicly known” that Breivik had applied to the university.
Others, including Education Minister Kristin Halvorsen, have said Breivik is a special case and shouldn’t enjoy the same rights as other prisoners.
The self-styled anti-Muslim militant surrendered to police on July 22, 2011, after setting off a bomb outside the government headquarters in Oslo and opening fire at a summer camp for young Labor Party activists on Utoya island. Eight people died in the bombing and 69 were killed on the island.
Breivik showed no remorse for his actions, calling his victims traitors for supporting a multicultural society.
“This is a special situation as we are facing a mass murderer who will never again be released into Norwegian society,” Halvorsen told broadcaster TV2 this week. “Many of the arguments we have for encouraging inmates ... to get an education don’t apply to the same degree.”
But Breivik’s defense lawyers said there is no legal basis to deny him the education rights that other inmates enjoy.
They criticized Halvorsen assumption that Breivik, 34, will never be released from prison.
“That is not up to politicians to decide,” said Tord Jordet, part of Breivik’s legal defense team.
Breivik was sentenced to the maximum term of 21 years. A court can extend his sentence if it considers him a danger.
Breivik’s application should be processed this month.
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