Anders Behring Breivik
Norwegian neo-Nazi who killed 77 in the 2011 Norway attacks.
Anders Behring Breivik (born 13 February 1979) is a Norwegian mass murderer, neo-Nazi, and domestic terrorist who perpetrated the 2011 Norway attacks. He was convicted and sentenced to 21 years' imprisonment under preventive detention, extendable indefinitely.
- born
- 13 February 1979
- field
- Terrorism, mass murder
- nationality
- Norwegian
- known_for
- Perpetrating the 2011 Norway attacks, killing 77 people
Lore & Background
His parents divorced when he was one. The report recommended foster care, but this was not carried out. At age 16, he was arrested for graffiti vandalism. He joined a gun club in 2005. A company he founded went bankrupt, and he reported no income in 2009.
Reader's Guide
His actions prompted global debates on terrorism, mental health, and prison conditions. Two forensic psychiatric evaluations disagreed: one diagnosed paranoid schizophrenia, the other found narcissistic and antisocial personality disorders, concluding he was not psychotic. His case remains a reference point for discussions on preventive detention and the radicalization of lone-wolf terrorists.
Did You Know?
- At age four, a psychologist noted his peculiar smile was not anchored in emotions but a deliberate response to his environment.
- His mother told him she 'wished that he was dead' even in the presence of health personnel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Anders Behring Breivik?
Anders Behring Breivik is a Norwegian neo-Nazi and domestic terrorist born on 13 February 1979. He is best known for carrying out the coordinated 2011 Norway attacks that left 77 people dead.
What ideology motivated Anders Behring Breivik?
Breivik was a fervent adherent of the Great Replacement theory and believed he was waging war against what he labeled 'Cultural Marxism.' His stated aim was to provoke a violent backlash against what he perceived as a threat to Western civilization.
What sentence did Anders Behring Breivik receive?
He was convicted of terrorism and mass murder and handed a 21-year prison term under Norway's preventive detention framework. That sentence can be extended indefinitely if authorities determine he continues to pose a danger to society.
Why is Anders Behring Breivik significant in the study of domestic terrorism?
His attacks remain the deadliest act of politically motivated violence in Norway's modern history and are widely cited as a case study in how extremist ideology can translate into a mass-casualty event. The case also reshaped Norwegian and broader European counter-terrorism policy in the years that followed.
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