Smiling Norway mass killer Breivik jailed for 21 years

A victory for Breivik.

21 years to write more diatribes from his luxury three suite cell.

"Breivik himself wanted to be found sane so that his Islamophobic ideology would not be considered the rantings of a lunatic."

JT should bring back the Polls we used to have.

How many out there doesn't think this man is a raving lunatic?

This sick NAZI bastard, right wing, KKK in Norwegian clothing needs the DEATH PENALTY ASAP! 21 years??? Even JAPAN can do better than that!! I hope he hangs himself then BURNS in HELL for all of ETERNITY!! RIP

21 years only? He killed more than 69 people!! he ought to get 21 year for each person he killed. Never let this nutter get out....ever again.

So he gets 3.6 years prison for each person he killed. He should have got 20 years for each person he killed which would mean a 1540-year sentence. He should never be released and should be kept in solitary confinement 24 hours-a-day with nothing to keep him mentally active. No letters, no books, no TV, no Internet, and no contact with anyone.

"So he gets 3.6 years prison for each person he killed. "

Your maths is off somewhat....

I'm not super on Maths, but I work it out as around 98 days jail time for each murder....

But that doesn't include the 240 people injured, so it is unbelievably less.

Norway is certainly demonstrating their 'Care bear' approach to sentencing criminals.

21 years - hardly justice for the victims families. They should introduce the life sentence, especially for sane unapologetic people like Breivik!

@ TigerTokyoDome - Just an FYI, His salute is not a Nazi salute, the Nazi's had their hands extended. Brevik uses the communist salute, or the raised fist - it's meant to symbolise resistance through using violence. People say he is an extreme right wing nut, but his salute suggests to me that he's an extreme left wing nut.

TigersTokyoDome:

" why couldn't you just use a standard picture of the killer, why the nazi salute? (which is the portrait that Breivik would have wished for) "

His posture looks more like the "black power" salute, not Nazi. And where do you get off claiming that Brejvik would have wanted a Nazi salute? The Nazi regime was extremely islam-friemdly (to the point of hosting the mufti of Jerusalem in Berlin, and creating muslim SS regiments in Yugoslavia), which is hardly something that Brejvik would agree with. Check your facts please.

21 years is the maximum he could get under Norwegian law BUT the lenient judge recommended he serve a minimum of just 10.....it's crazy enough that Norway has no life sentence, but what a poor recommendation. The judge should have recommended no parole consideration before 21 years.

An Oslo court on Friday found Anders Behring Breivik guilty of “acts of terror”

What? Who cares? Its the 77 counts of MURDER that I am interested in. Where is the talk about those?

Only 21 years? For the murder of 77 people?? What are the Norwegians thinking?

which is hardly something that Brejvik would agree with.

You read minds or something? I would bet that Breivik would, in 1943, agree with every move the Nazis made basically. They never failed to make an enemy out of every friend they had, except for maybe Mussolini. Every relationship they made was not out of love, but out of convenience. They may have formed Muslim regiments, but they did not invite Muslims to emigrate to Northern Europe did they? I am sure Breivik, and every other extreme rightist scum on this planet, would welcome having just about anybody fight and die for their cause, and then laugh all the way back home to their homogeneous society.

Things have changed since the 1940s you know. Bed partners have changed to match the objectives of the time. Breivik is a rightist. He is opposed to feminism, Marxism, and Islam, and is a supporter of Zionism. And why shouldn't a guy basically in line with the neo-Nazis not support Zionism? Zionism can be summed up as the belief that all Jews should get out and go " others" to a guy like thislive in Israel. The Nazis tried to expel the Jews before they killed them you know.

The extreme right is founded on racism and xenophobia, and hate based on anything labeled "other", basically conservative ideas on steroids. Muslims and Jews are both "others" to a guy like this. He hates most the "other" closest to his home, and right now that is Muslims and not Jews. Change that fact, and you change the prime object of hate. Breivik is a rightist to the core, and your constant attempts to deny it only damn the right further.

His posture looks more like the "black power" salute, not Nazi. And where do you get off claiming that Brejvik would have wanted a Nazi salute? The Nazi regime was extremely islam-friemdly (to the point of hosting the mufti of Jerusalem in Berlin, and creating muslim SS regiments in Yugoslavia), which is hardly something that Brejvik would agree with. Check your facts please.

Facts?? Your 'opinion' could not be further from the truth. Do you have any idea of the history and facts of this story and this man? Are you seriously trying to imply that this mass murderer may be islam friendly! And a black power salute!! My goodness. Read the story. Read what this guy has written. Read his political opinion and reasoning for these murders. Actually, why am I having this conversation with someone who believes that Breivik may be extremely islam friendly and supports the black power movement....

@ TigerTokyoDome - Just an FYI, His salute is not a Nazi salute, the Nazi's had their hands extended. Brevik uses the communist salute, or the raised fist - it's meant to symbolise resistance through using violence. People say he is an extreme right wing nut, but his salute suggests to me that he's an extreme left wing nut.

Thanks very much for your professional advice on exactly what a nazi salute consists of. Unfortunately I do not have any experience of the nazi party to match your skills. So his 'salute' suggests to you that Breivik is a socialist nutcase. So you reckon that Breivik's quotes on stopping the muslim invasion, the immigration policy, and targeting the socilaist party suggest to you that he is left wing...??

I find it absolutely insulting (to the families of those who were murdered) that posters on here are trying to state that Breivik is a socialist, used a black power salute, and may believe in idealism that is extremely friendly to islam. These posts may well be right wing nazi sympathisers and I have to ask Japan Today, out of respect for the families of those who were murdered, how on earth you can leave such comments on your website?

Moderator: There is nothing insulting about other readers' opinions.

Madverts

Oops, yes, you got me. Sorry about that. Posted that in a hurry at work!

98 days for each murder is even more ridiculous.

Anyway, I hope others got the main gist of my post.

Norway really needs to look at sorting out their justice system. It must have been screwed by extremist liberals who believe that criminals should have rights. Sadly, my joint Australia has headed the same way - justice is skewed in favour of protecting criminals and giving them rights and disregarding the victims completely. This maggot has no right to even have food or water, let alone be kept alive. What an insult to the thousands of people whose lives are permanently destroyed. Hope someone gets at him in jail.

As the article above states: Under Norwegian law, the sentence could be extended.

Sure hope so ...

Some of the mental health "experts" (psychiatrists) apparently judged this guy to be sane.

If these are "experts," I wonder why we listen to them?

Only an insane person would consider that killing 77 people for no reason at all this was the action of a sane man.

Of course he is insane.

But that doesn't make him any the less guilty.

With the year or so this nutcase has been in prison, he could be out in another nine years or so.

This punishment is far too lenient.

I feel sorry for Breivik's victims and Norwegian taxpayers.

Will 21 years really have an impact on this man's way of thinking? I doubt it. I understand Norway's approach to criminal justice, I don't agree with it but I understand it. The desire to understand and 'fix' people who commit such terrible acts is commendable. But people like this cannot be reformed, he doesn't want to be. For him, every single day of the rest of his time in prison will be like a little taste of vindication.

This is the ruling that had to be done but it doesn't make it any less painful to watch.

Even if they extend his sentence it will never be enough. If there is even a slim possibility he could walk among free people again there exists a grave injustice. 21 years for 77 murders? And they say I have no respect for human life.

Of course he is insane.

We like to think that. This sentiment is why on some level I'm actually impressed with the court in this instance. It's easy to look at an act that no rational person could ever think of comitting and simply say 'oh he must be insane'. It takes a very mature and cold mind to look at the facts. Like the fact that he planned the killing, acquired the tools, came up with a strategy, and carried it out in exact detail. That is not the pattern of the insane, that is the pattern of a methodical butcher.

Brevik isn't insane, he's evil. I don't care if you believe in such things or not.

"Oops, yes, you got me. Sorry about that. Posted that in a hurry at work!"

Heh, no intention to "get you" it just didn't look right ;)

"The desire to understand and 'fix' people who commit such terrible acts is commendable."

I agree, some people are beyond fixing. I imagine Norway has an excellent rehabilitation record compared to our countries.

The Norwegians have however made an error giving this man what he wanted in finding him sane. For me "insane" covers his crimes, even though they were clearly thought out and planned over a long period.

69 of the victims were children, some as young as 14 years old at the Labour party youth camp on Utoeya island, He killed kids first at long range and then up close. He was dressed as a cop and the kids thought he was there to help after the initial shooting. That's when he shot the kids in the head. He made the excuse that the children were brainwashed "cultural Marxists" whose political activism would adulterate pure Norwegian blood. What 14 year old knows about what that murderer is talking about??

And his prison cell sounds like a one bedroom apartment complete with separate exercise room, computer and a television. Breivik gets all that even though he is in isolation. What do the 8 adults and 69 children he killed get??

http://news.yahoo.com/court-finds-norwegian-mass-killer-breivik-sane-082140655.html

The "court" in prison may have another penalty for him. There should be no defense such as "insane." Prisons are for penalty or rehabilitation. "insane" people cannot be rehabilitated. Japan needs to be aware of the call to end the death penalty. It's insane.

Laughable. A simple bullet before this trail even began would've erased this madman from history and then it would've soon been out of the limelight. Now that these over-sensitive Norgies have given him a just trial and sentence, he can become a martyr for the next 21 years and find more ways to torment those he inflicted so much pain on. I am not sure why all you people just want madmen locked up. What is the point? An eye for an eye is bad? I am afraid your lax approach to such criminals is snobbish and ignorant. There is no place or cell for such a sicko.

jforce I agree with you. Breivik should not be allowed to live. He had no consideration for anyone including his parents. Brevik took away the future for 69 teenagers and 8 adults like it was nothing. Breivik should receive the same consideration he should the victims.

I meant: Breivik should receive the same consideration he showed his victims.

People seem to not understand Norway´s law. It is 21 to life. After 21 years they take a new reevaluation. If he will be considered a threat to society he can be held indefinitely. He´ll never get out of jail.

The Norwegians have however made an error giving this man what he wanted in finding him sane. For me "insane" covers his crimes, even though they were clearly thought out and planned over a long period.

The definitions of sane and insane being used were created for medical purposes, not purposes of law or politics. It means what it means and its criteria are fixed. If they say he is medically sane, then I believe them.

What I don't understand is what the hell difference it makes in conviction. It should only be relevant for sentencing, as in the difference between a comfortable cell and a hard, bleak, dark one IMHO. And in Breivik's case it would be the hard, bleak, dark one for life.

@ sustainablewhaling

I have read that 21 years is the max and then evaluation after said time. Even though 77 people have been taken by his hand?? Like jforce said: A bullet in Breivik's head would settle everything and I agree. He killed 77 people 69 of them were kids, Breivik does not deserve a posh cell with television and internet service. He deserves what he gave those 77 people whose lives and futures he took.

When did we get so PC that we can show pictures of the offender giving victorious nazi salutes? He can only wish for publicity now and that is exactly what we give him. The debate - is he sane or insane? Its a not the issue - I absolutely don't want him in my world. Don't want to see his face again.

Oh, this guy is sane, unfortunately many countries have proven that mass murder can be carried out by the sane when a cause is involved. It's a pity that the Norwegian sentencing laws are so lax. I imagine that the pols in Norway are busy thinking up how to draft a "life sentence with no possibility of parole" law right now.

Yeah, I never want to see this guys face again, or hear his diatribes. But I understand that his "cell" has exercise equipment and internet access. Now that is nuts.

I have read that 21 years is the max and then evaluation after said time.

The sentence can be prolonged and that is what is going to happen. Norway like most other European countries abandoned capital punishment quite some time ago. He will have to work while he is in prison like most other inmates. For instance many of the park benches which are used in public are made by prisoners. The same with desks used at schools. He will be making desks and park benches behind bars for the rest of his life and that´s that. Norway can move on.

There are too many crazy people like him (neo nazi white supremist) in USA today that concerns me the most. We have to something about it. Today, we had another shooting in Manhattan, NY killing two and nine inured.

Updated July 21, 2011 The current U.S.A. population is over 311 million people

http://geography.about.com/od/obtainpopulationdata/a/uspopulation.htm

The FBI estimates that there are over 200 million privately-owned firearms in the US. If you add those owned by the military, law enforcement agencies and museums, there is probably about 1 gun per person in the country.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_guns_are_in_the_united_states_of_America

Wauw.. First of all I guess you didn't read the article. It says: "However, inmates who after that are still considered a threat to society can be held indefinitely." And off course Breivik will be consideres a threat to the society. Norwegians and the relatives are very happy with the final conclusion and now they can finally move on. Norway can't or shouldn't change their justice system because of a loner. You should remember that it's extremely rare to see a shooting in Norway and other scandinavian countries. Norway uses other solutions. What's the point of giving him 1000 years prison?!?! It doesn't make sense at all. And I think that many people - especially Americans - should take a look at the overall system. How many shootings have there been in the last couple of weeks?! It's insane!

We should all be happy that he got what he deserved and he'll never get out of prison.

Good day to you all.

Sad when a evil man like this has his point proven about the Norweigen justice system. I could just imagine what kind of sentence Hitler would have gotten in this kind of system. Millions of people killed? Genocide? No problem! 21 years only after good behaviour... Depending how this goes after the 21 years is gone I wonder if someone might go vigalante on him when (possibly if) he gets out.

Knew it would happen like this and I foresee him getting out before the 21 years are done. In Japan he would of swung instead of being in a hotel. Better yet he would not know the date until they come for him. So how does this "deter" crime?

He will repeat his terrible deed when he is released. In the USA convicted person received six consecutive life sentences plus days. "Country Rights" or the right of each country to its own laws is the global rule of law. He would be gone if he was in other countries. There is nothing the rest of the world can do except protect the right to severe punishment.

I don't understand Norwegian law where someone who murders 77 people in cold blood is sentenced to only 21 years and could get out in as little as ten. Even if they don't have the death penalty why didn't they change the laws so that life in prison with no parole was intact before his trial.

Sanity: "the ability to think and behave in a normal and rational manner; sound mental health" (Oxford English Dictionary)

Is carefully planning and carrying out the mass murder of 77 people thinking in a normal and rational manner? Do these actions show sound mental health?

I hope not.

This man is clearly insane.

The fact that he can speak lucidly in the court doesn't change this in any way.

It makes him all the more dangerous.

A number of things. He is not by any means of the word, a Neo-Nazi. Neo-Nazi implies hatred for Jews, where this man has none. He is not giving a Nazi salute as well. He is neither a communist or a left wing nut. His goal was to keep Norway Norwegian and free of rapists and murders who come from overseas and spread their culture. That is all. The people he massacred were the children of those responsible for beginning the destruction of his homeland.

You would probably say "If he felt so strongly about it, why didn't he just make a political party?" Which is an entirely valid question. The answer is that far right parties are ostracized by the mainstream political parties are dubbed "Neo-Nazi" even if their views are completely different than the KKK or most Neo-Nazi groups. The irony is that the people who are imported through mainstream parties actually have Nazi-like views and beat up Jews, forcing them to leave the country.

This man deserves life in prison for killing 77 people, but hopefully his ideals of PRESERVING his own country begin to blossom.

Sanity: "the ability to think and behave in a normal and rational manner; sound mental health" (Oxford English Dictionary)

That dictionary and definition are aimed at laypeople. Actual doctors in psychological fields are going by a LOT more than single sentence definitions. In fact, we would not need learned doctors in the courtroom at all if we did this. In fact, almost no convicted criminal could be said to be sane, as criminal behavior is NOT normal.

A number of things. He is not by any means of the word, a Neo-Nazi. Neo-Nazi implies hatred for Jews, where this man has none.

A neo-nazi is about a HELL of a lot more than hatred for Jews. They are for nationalism, xenophobia, racism, homo-phobia and anti-semitism. You don't get to be absolutely different from a neo-nazi for swapping Jews for Muslims in your diatribes. And being a Zionist to boot does not prove he loves Jews. It proves he thinks Jews should live in Israel, something the Nazis would have been happy with. The "final solution to the Jewish problem" came about because they could not get the Jews out of Europe, not because they wanted them all dead.

The man is a rightist, not because of some trifle like a salute, but because his mouth, group affiliations, and manifesto prove he is a rightist. And while he many not be a neo-Nazi, he is closely enough akin and allied with them to excuse being confused for one.

That salute and all similar ones are based on adaptations from salutes from the ancient Roman Empire and used by a wide range of groups from left to right. But as I said, its a trifle in the debate of his politics. Its dumb as judging a book by his cover.

It both sad and hilarious how some conservatives here are desperately trying distance themselves from this rightist by trying (and failing) to label him a leftist. This jackass just took to extremes what so many conservatives post here every day, with their putting country before principles, law and fact, warning us about the evil intent of other countries and religions, and opposition to homosexual marriage and abortion to the point of wanting to ban them utterly. Conservatives should look at Breivik and reflect upon their petty nationalism, xenophobia, homophobia, paranoia and bigotry. Anders Breivik is where they all eventually lead.

Acceptance and tolerance are things that have to be forced upon conservatives, and they only accept them grudgingly at first, just like they are hell bent to deny any affiliation with Breivik's beliefs with lies, half-truths, and spin.

The reason he got 21 years and possible parole in 10 years is $$$. It is cheaper to assign three policeman to track him 24 hours a day than prison. Far cheaper than execution. Add an ankle tracking device, and his location is known 24 hours a day. The "court" in prison may solve the whole problem unless he has "protection" from the warden.

First off he is only released after 21 years IF he is no longer considered a threat to society. There's no guarantee that he will be released after 21 years.

noriyosan73

The reason he got 21 years and possible parole in 10 years is $$$.

No, it's because the Norway has a completely different system. Norway believes in rehabilitation and protecting human rights rather than just punishing them.

As they say, "We'll see how this works out..."

People will probably never read to the end of all these comments, but having read through most of them I realize people don't understand the Norwegian judicial system or our society at all. The maximum sentence is 21 years, yes, but Breivik was given an "indeterminate life sentence" because he is a danger to society and highly likely to recommit these terrrible deeds. Anyone here really think this man will ever be considered not a threat to society? Of course he won't. There are inmates in that same prison given the exact same sentence sitting there for more than 40 years and who'll be there for the rest of their lives.

Breivik's acts were surely insane, but the man is not insane. I've listened to him talk for hours in court and he is extremely well spoken, clear, scarily calculating and evil. But not psychotic, which is what he had to be to be sentenced to psychiatric care and not prison.

And for those who think that we Norwegians are now rethinking our entire judiciary system. No, we're not. 9 out of 10 Norwegians were extremely relieved by this sentence. He got the maximum. He will be locked away for good. We won't have to hear about him for many many years to come now. It's over.

We do not have the death penalty and I am glad we don't. Taking other people's lives is a medieval way of dealing with evil. We have not had anything close to this in peace time in Norway before. In 2010 29 people were killed. What he did is not going to redefine our society. We'll have other and better ways of making sure something this terrible doesn't happen again.

And just a correction. Breivik has not had internet connection in prison, and he will never get it either.