Spurned in Norway, Breivik to Appeal to Europe

Norway's top court on Thursday rejected an appeal by mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik, saying the country didn't violate his human rights by isolating him in jail. The Hoeyesterett court ruled there was "no basis" for a different conclusion than the one reached by the Borgarting Court of Appeal in January, per the AP. Breivik, serving a 21-year sentence for killing 77 people in a 2011 bomb-and-shooting rampage, had claimed his solitary confinement has deeply damaged him and made him even more radical in his neo-Nazi beliefs. "At this point, there are no prospects for Breivik winning an appeal in the Supreme Court," the Hoeyesterett said, adding he "still represents an unusually high risk of (committing) very serious events."

Last year, the Norwegian government had appealed a lower court ruling that Breivik's isolation in prison violates his rights. Breivik claimed his solitary confinement, the frequent strip searches, and the fact that he was often handcuffed during the early part of his incarceration violated his human rights. He is held in isolation in a three-cell complex where he can play video games, watch TV, and exercise. He has also complained about the quality of the prison food, having to eat with plastic utensils and not being able to communicate with sympathizers. The government had said he is treated humanely despite the severity of his crimes. Breivik's defense lawyer has promised to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. (More Anders Behring Breivik stories.)