United News of Bangladesh

Former NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday that he is returning to government in his native Norway as finance minister. Stoltenberg led NATO from 2014, until he handed over to current Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the beginning of October. Before taking over at NATO, Stoltenberg served as Norway's prime minister from 2000 to 2001, and 2005 to 2013, reports AP. His term at NATO was repeatedly extended to keep a steady hand at the helm after Russian launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, thwarting plans for Stoltenberg to take over as head of Norway’s central bank. He is returning to government after Norway’s governing coalition split last week with the junior partner, the Center Party, announcing its departure, in a dispute over European Union energy market regulations. Joe Biden signs with talent agency to shape post-presidency career That left current Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, the leader of Stoltenberg’s center-left Labor Party, with several Cabinet posts to fill, among them that of outgoing Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum, the leader of the Center Party. Stoltenberg and Gahr Støre appeared together at an event in Oslo on Tuesday, where the prime minister was presenting his new team, but Gahr Støre didn't explicitly mention Stoltenberg's new job. But in a statement released by the Munich Security Conference in Germany, which Stoltenberg was due to take over as chairman after its annual meeting later this month, Stoltenberg said he was “deeply honored to have been asked to help my country at this critical stage.” “Having carefully considered the current challenges we face, I have decided to accept Prime Minister Støre’s request to serve as his Minister of Finance,” he said. “I will return to the Munich Security Conference and to my other responsibilities when my tenure is over. I am grateful for the decision to temporarily release me from my duties while I serve my country once again.” Stoltenberg previously served as Norwegian finance minister from 1996 to 1997. Norway is due to hold a parliamentary election on Sept. 8. The Labor Party has been trailing in recent polls.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Sunday asked Norway to make Bangladesh a regional distribution hub of their products and invest more in the country to take the benefits of Bangladesh’s youth force. “Use Bangladesh as a base for distributing Norwegian products in Asia so that you don’t need to bring your people from Norway and can use our young people,” Dr Yunus told Hakon Arald Gulbrandsen, Norwegian Ambassador to Bangladesh, when the latter met him. The Chief Adviser cited the example of Grameenphone, the first overseas entity of Norwegian telecom giant Telenor, which has over the years turned into the most profitable venture in the Telenor family. Congressmen invite BNP's top leaders to join ‘National Prayer Breakfast’ Ambassador Gulbrandsen handed over a letter from Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, expressing strong support of the country for Bangladesh’s interim government. “The Prime Minister has strong support for your efforts to initiate much-needed reforms and conduct free and fair democratic elections,” the ambassador said. The ambassador conveyed the Norwegian Prime Minister’s appreciation of Bangladesh’s interim government’s commitment to protecting human rights and promoting environmental sustainability. Ambassador Gulbrandsen said that Norway was keen to work closely with Bangladesh in the ship recycling industry and in the green energy transition. The Chief Adviser also sought Norway’s support in resolving the Rohingya crisis amid the changed political situation in Myanmar. “Norway played a big role in peacekeeping. So, we need your help in resolving the Rohingya crisis,” he said. The Chief Adviser told the ambassador that the government was planning to make the next general election in Bangladesh “the best ever and historic.” Visa issue doesn’t exist once passport revoked: Govt “We want to make it an example, a historical example,” he told the ambassador. Ambassador Gulbrandsen said Norway was keen to work closely with Bangladesh in international forums on the Palestinian issue, international tax and plastic pollution. Marrianne Rabe Knaevelsrud, Norway’s Deputy Head of Mission in Dhaka, expressed her country’s gratitude to Bangladesh for sponsoring the Norwegian-led UN resolution on humanitarian access in Palestine. Dr Yunus urges Türkiye to invest, relocate factories in Bangladesh  

Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has called for increased Norwegian investment in Bangladesh. He said this when the newly appointed Ambassador of Norway to Bangladesh, Håkon Arald Gulbransen, paid his first courtesy call on the foreign adviser at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday morning. The focus of the discussion centered around the strengthening of bilateral ties and increased Norwegian investment in Bangladesh. During the meeting, the foreign adviser highlighted the long-standing friendly relations between the two countries and welcomed Norwegian support to Bangladesh’s Interim Government. He underscored the significant reform initiatives currently underway in the country, particularly in the areas of democracy, governance, and the economy. The economy of Bangladesh is resilient, said Touhid. He encouraged more Norwegian investment in Bangladesh, particularly in prospective sectors such as ICT, renewable energy, and electronics. Read: Norway sees “great potential” in Bangladesh He further pointed to the ongoing government efforts in improving the business environment, including the introduction of the effective ‘One Stop Service’ to facilitate foreign investments. Ambassador Gulbransen, echoed the positive sentiment, stating that the relationship between the two nations has evolved from a development partnership to a more trade-centric one. "Norway sees great potential in Bangladesh," he said. He pointed out the significant presence of Telenor in the country, expressing a desire for enhanced business-to-business ties moving forward. On the issue of human rights, Foreign Adviser Touhid reaffirmed the Interim Government’s commitment to improving protection. He said Bangladesh acceded to the ‘International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances’ in August and shared the news that Bangladesh had recently been elected Vice President of the UN Human Rights Council. The Foreign Adviser assured the Norwegian Ambassador of the full support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in carrying out his duties and wished him a productive and successful tenure ahead.

In Bangladesh, the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) sector faces a financing gap of $2.8 billion, according to IFC, a member of the World Bank Group. With nearly 10 million SMEs contributing to about 25 percent of the country's GDP, enhancing SME financing is key to boosting economic growth, it said on Tuesday (November 28, 2023). To explore the various aspects of financing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Bangladesh, IFC, in association with Bangladesh Bank and the government of Norway, organized a conference in Dhaka. Read: BTCCI to promote Bangladesh as 'gateway to South Asia' for Thailand Experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the world shared their insights to help foster a resilient and inclusive environment for SME financing in the country.   The event touched upon the partnership between IFC and Bangladesh Bank, results of an impact assessment study carried out on women-owned SMEs, next-generation SME financing trends, and global best practices in SME financing. It also addressed the challenges and opportunities in SME financing, identifying solutions and innovations in light of global SME finance developments. Highlighting the joint efforts of IFC and Bangladesh Bank in SME financing, the conference showcased initiatives, including developing the country’s first Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS), reforming an SME finance policy, and strengthening the sector’s capacity. IFC’s impact study on CGS, supported by the Norwegian Embassy, revealed that the number of first-time borrowers receiving loans in cottage, micro, and small enterprises and the average ticket size of the loans for women-owned micro and small enterprises was statistically significantly higher after the launch of CGS than ever before. Women entrepreneurs who received CGS-backed loans reported that it helped their businesses survive amid crises and provided new impetus to thrive. Speaking at the conference as the chief guest, Governor of Bangladesh Bank, Abdur Rouf Talukder, said that recognizing that cottage, micro, small and medium enterprises (CMSMEs) are the backbone of society, Bangladesh Bank is spearheading several initiatives to mainstream medium and small businesses into the financial landscape. "This includes establishing a new and dedicated Credit Guarantee Department that has already piloted an online platform—the Credit Guarantee Information Management System—to help lodge applications seamlessly. We are at an important crossroads of economic development and must ensure that everyone, especially those who often get left out, can be part of the financial picture," he said. Read: BGMEA chief for stepping up economic diplomacy to boost Bangladesh-US trade Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank, Abu Farah Md. Nasser, said a strong SME sector is akin to a superpower for creating jobs, export earnings, and productive proficiency. "Now more than ever, we need to work together to enhance credit guarantee schemes, tap into alternative databases for SME lending, and ultimately fast-track CMSME finance in Bangladesh. We want to bridge the gap between rich and poor, make sure men and women have equal opportunities, and boost economic growth across the country," he said. Martin Holtmann, IFC Country Manager for Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal, said Bangladesh is rapidly accelerating its economic development, and creating more and better jobs is a priority they share with the country as long-term partners since 1985. "IFC’s collaboration with Bangladesh Bank to develop SME solutions highlights a milestone in achieving financial inclusion and economic advancement and underscores the transformative power of partnerships, innovation, and our collective commitment to progress. We aim to increase access to financial products that are affordable, sustainable, and responsive to risks while developing institutional, operational, and policy frameworks to ensure the benefits of economic growth permeate every facet of this dynamic nation,” he said. Espen Rikter-Svendsen, Ambassador of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Bangladesh, said, “Lack of access to finance is the biggest impediment to the growth of SMEs in Bangladesh, particularly for the women-headed SMEs." Recognizing and addressing the challenges faced by SMEs and women entrepreneurs is not just a matter of economic significance but also a step towards fostering gender equality, he said. "It is essential to create an environment that facilitates easier access to finance for SMEs, encourages more women to take on entrepreneurial roles, and provides them with the necessary financial resources to succeed," said the ambassador. Other participants included Qamar Saleem, CEO of the SME Finance Forum; Abdoulaye Seck, Country Director of the World Bank for Bangladesh and Bhutan; and managing directors and CEOs of leading banking and non-banking financial institutions in Bangladesh. The event also included technical sessions and panel discussions focusing on global best practices and a future roadmap to accelerate the SME financing market in Bangladesh. Read more: BGMEA urges Proparco to provide SMEs with the low-cost fund, grant

Norway has a long history of providing free university education to students from all over the world. They didn't make any distinctions between foreigners, Norwegians, or EU citizens, but this will all change soon. The Government of Norway has been advised to impose university fees on students from nations outside the EU or EEA. In presenting its recommendations for the nation's 2023 budget, Norway’s Ministry of Education emphasized that Norway continues to be one of the very few nations in the world that does not mandate that international students pay university fees, and it insisted that starting in the 2023 fall semester, universities should introduce fees to at least cover their costs per international student. Ola Borten Moe, the minister of education, responded to the suggestion by stating that since most Norwegian students studying abroad pay university fees, foreign students studying in Norway should also be required to do so. Read Cheapest countries for Bangladeshi students for higher studies She also emphasized that Norwegian citizens from other EU and Schengen Area nations will continue to be able to study there for free, even if taxes are implemented for international students. Rather, only nationals of third-party countries will be subject to the costs. However, the change would only be applicable to students who finished their entire education in Norway, not to those who were enrolled in exchange programs. According to Statistics Norway, there are presently 242,606 resident students in the country between the ages of 19 and 34, with 142,141 being women and 100,465 being males. Of them, over 13,000 were born in Norway to immigrant parents. Read Study in Belgium: Bachelor's, Masters and PhD options for Bangladeshi Students The Ministry of Education insists that universities should be well-equipped to attract international students because the quality of the education is good and not because it is free. The ministry claims that millions of kroner have been spent in an effort to improve the quality of education at the nation's universities. Minister Borten Moe further asserts that if the introduction of fees results in a decrease in the number of foreign students attending Norwegian universities, this will result in more open spots at universities and housing for Norwegian students. In the country's budget for 2023, the government has suggested providing framework funding for universities and colleges in the amount of NOK 42.8 billion. The Ministry plans to expand the funding for education even more through the proposed introduction of new fees in order to create a better and higher-quality system of higher education. Read Student Loans in Bangladesh: Banks Offering Education Loans for Higher Studies Estimated Tuition Fees Beginning in 2023, all universities are required to collect tuition from all students who are not citizens of the EU or EEA. Although estimates suggest that a single semester might cost as much as 150,000 Norwegian kroner (about $15,000 USD or BDT 14, 12000), colleges determine rates depending on real expenditures. Accordingly, a three-year bachelor's degree at a Norwegian institution can wind up costing as much as 900,000 NOK ($90,000 or BDT 82,72,000 ), which is obviously a large sum of money for the majority of us. Although it appears likely that most courses will cost significantly less than this amount, this will depend on the real expenses associated with offering the courses. Less crowded classes with a single professor will cost more than those with many students and several professors. Read How to Pick a College or University Abroad for Higher Education   Exceptions to the tuition payment requirement The new regulations for paying tuition at Norwegian colleges are aimed at immigrants from all of the Americas, Asia, Oceania, and Africa who have no familial ties to Norway or the EU. Some groups will, however, no longer be expected to pay tuition at Norwegian universities in the future. The following groups will continue to receive free tuition at Norwegian universities: Norwegian nationals individuals from EU or EEA nations students who take part in programs for international exchange students every person who participates in the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme. Therefore, it will mostly need tuition for foreigners seeking a free university education who have no connection to Norway. The government presently pays the equivalent of one student's tuition to the institutions, as they clearly could not function without it. Read Best Countries for Bachelor's Degree in 2023 Will this modification last forever? The government presented its proposed annual national budget for 2023 on October 6, along with the news of the new additional foreign student tuition. Even though it's still not final and can still be subject to discussion and negotiation through December 15, it appears doubtful that this will alter before the announcement of the nation's ultimate budget. Currently, there are a lot of uncertainties about this new policy, and many overseas students who are pursuing degrees are worried. Read Studying Abroad: Major Pros and Cons You Need to Consider We don't yet know whether or not the move will have an impact on students who have already started their studies in Norway. Although it hasn't been confirmed, there are reports that foreign students who have already been admitted to the university would be able to complete their degrees without paying. We currently only have to wait and watch how everything turns out. In the months to come, especially as college applications season approaches in the summer of 2023, we will undoubtedly learn more. Read SoP for Higher Studies: How to write an unfailing Statement of Purpose  

Norway is one of the more picturesque countries nestled within the Nordic region of Europe. Being a part of the welfare economies of the world, this small yet populous country of northern Europe boasts a robust higher education system and scope for aspiring foreign students. Just like its European counterparts, higher education is free in Norway making it one of the preferred destinations. And not to mention the work opportunities that come with it. In this article, we take a detailed look into the requirements and admission process to land a higher study opportunity in Norway. Why Should You Study in Norway? Since 2003, the government of Norway has focused on reforming the entire education system to make it in line with the Bologna system. The move was made as part of making Norway a global education hub as the country required more and more skilled labor in its diverse economic sectors. Read Top European Countries Offering Free Education for International Students As a result, the 49 state and private-run universities have seen a massive overhaul over the last two decades which has prompted Norway to emerge as one of the top higher education destinations in northern Europe. Among its universities, the University of Oslo broke into the global top 100 ranks for best universities and currently holds the 90th position as the best higher study destination according to QS ranking. Does that grab your attention? Because now we will take step-by-step requirements for different higher study options like bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D. in Norway. How Can International Students Do Post Graduation in Norway without Tuitions Educational Requirements The minimum standard to get into a Norwegian university is set by the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education NOKUT every year. The agency works directly under the ministry of education and has been a regulatory authority for international and domestic higher education since the reform in 2003. Read Free Education in Germany for International Students in Bachelor, Masters, PhD The website itself won’t be of much help to you if you can’t understand Norwegian. But the consensus is pretty standard across the board. If you are looking to apply for a bachelor's, you will need to show 13 years of completed formal education in your home country. Yes, the requirements are a year more where you actually need to enroll at a university in your home country and then apply for a bachelor's in Norway anew. For a master's, students need to complete either a 3 year or 4 year’s accredited bachelor's program and are allowed to pursue the core stream of bachelor's in masters only. For a Ph.D., the requirements are standard with a completed master's and concentration in academia. Read Overcoming Study Gap: How to Start Studying after a Long Break Language Requirements Higher study in Norway is available in both English and Norwegian. But most international students opt to study English for their higher education. An exception can be seen for students who pursue Norwegian linguistics as a higher study subject. Generally, students need to clear a 5-band score on the IELTS academic test. The score roughly equates to a 60 point scale for TOEFL IBT. Most international students look for part-time jobs and we’ll talk about it in detail in the cost of living section. But to get any type of job in Norway, you will need to clear level 3 of Norwegian for International students. This specific course varies between institutes, but the general curriculum is the same. Read Higher Study in China: Scholarship Opportunities for Bangladeshi Students Application Documents Just like most European universities, there’s a checklist of documents you need to submit for admission to any of the three higher study levels. The first thing to note here is that SAT isn’t required for admission to a bachelor’s degree. Neither is GRE or GMAT a mandatory requirement for masters. Norway only checks for educational transcripts and language proficiency. Additional requirements include – 1. Transcripts verifying years of schooling 2. 2 LORs 3. CV 4. Statement of Purpose 5. Financial Statements As long as you can manage these documents, you’re good to apply to any higher study institution in Norway. Read Study in the Netherlands: Scholarship Opportunities for Bangladeshi Students Financial Requirements Students wishing to study in Norway can do so for free. Other than a select few private institutes, all the national universities are completely free without any tuition requirements. But it also comes with a few caveats. Even though there are no tuition fees, students are still required to show that they can support their stay and living expenses in Norway with an annual amount of around 13,600 USD which roughly translates to 12,88,464 BDT (1 USD = 94.74 BDT) Like other European countries, this amount needs to be shown in a blocked account created by the university for the student. So while education itself is free in Norway, the cost of living is definitely something to take note of. Read Study in France: Scholarship Opportunities and Overview for Bangladeshi Students Students can get part-time jobs in Norway as opportunities are abundant. but as mentioned earlier, they will need to cover at least level 3 of Norwegian to be able to land most jobs. Now the question is, is a part-time job sustainable in Norway? There are a lot of scholarships and grants available in universities. Students can apply to them if they want to minimize part-time jobs and stay focused on their studies. To be honest, money management is the key here. And as for whether it is enough to sustain living in Norway with part-time jobs, it's definitely possible. Academic Calendar Sessions in Norway are usually for 10 months divided between two semesters in each academic year. Students can apply in both the semesters. But historically, the intake is always high for the fall semester as it provides better scholarship and grant opportunities. Read Study in Australia: Scholarship Opportunities for Bangladeshi Students For fall intake, students need to apply to prospective universities around November – December of the previous year when the application opens. There’s no centralized application system in Norway, so you will have to apply to each university individually following their respective guidelines. To know more about selection, scholarships, and application deadlines, visit Study in Norway created by the Norwegian Directorate of Higher Education. Final Words With its breathtaking mountain range and picturesque cities, Norway is a country straight out of storybooks. As a welfare nation, the demand for skilled labor is higher than ever with the government showing intent to make the country a global education hub. Now is a better time than ever to consider higher education opportunities in Norway at free of cost. So far, we have discussed how to get admission in the tuition-free universities in Norway at masters and PhD programs. The international students from Bangladesh or any other country can take this opportunity to shape their future. Hope it helps! Read What should Bangladeshi students pack and bring with them to Western Countries?

Nordic ambassadors to Bangladesh have acknowledged the impressive development journey and growth of Bangladesh that they have witnessed throughout their steadfast relationships. "We are proud to have contributed to it," Ambassador of Denmark Winnie Estrup Petersen, Ambassador of Norway Espen Rikter-Svendsen, and Ambassador of Sweden Alex Berg von Linde, said in their joint speech at a reception Thursday. The Nordic countries arranged the reception to celebrate 50 years of their ties with Bangladesh. Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun who attended the event as the chief guest appreciated Nordic countries' contributions to Bangladesh. Read: Nordic countries hold business promotion event He said Bangladesh wants peace and stability around the world and emphasised strengthening the ties on all frontiers. The Nordic ambassadors said they started their relations with humanitarian aid that moved into development cooperation that "has had multifaceted impacts in so many areas." "Now, we are glad to see that our relations are transforming with an increased focus on expanding trade relations for a sustainable future in this vibrant nation," they said. On February 4, 1972, the three countries were among the first to recognise Bangladesh as a new, independent and sovereign state. "This marked the start of long and strong friendships not only between our countries but also our people – a partnership, which has continuously evolved over the years. Nordic countries have stood side by side with our Bangladeshi partners in their efforts for this nation to develop and progress," the ambassadors said. Denmark, Norway and Sweden – the Nordic countries represented in Bangladesh – are celebrating 50 years of their ties with Bangladesh. Read: Denmark, Norway, Sweden celebrate 'NordicWeek,' 50 years of ties with Bangladesh The 50th anniversary celebrations began on March 23, 2022, on International Nordic Day when the three Nordic ambassadors met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin to share their reflections on the ties and discuss its future outlook. The Nordic countries celebrated the "Nordic Week," which included a business seminar on May 24. The overarching theme of the week was "sustainability" which is also a defining feature of the relations between the Nordics and Bangladesh.

Bangladesh and Norway have expressed interest in broadening economic partnership through trade, investment and maritime sector cooperation. The two countries also discussed in particular the potentials for investments in offshore renewable energy. Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen​ has briefed his Norwegian counterpart Annekin Huitfeldt about measures taken in building safety and green production facilities in the RMG sector. Also read:Crown Princess of Denmark Mary Elizabeth in Dhaka on a 3-day visit The Norwegian Minister showed interest in the ship breaking industry and enquired about Bangladesh’s plans concerning ratifying the Hong Kong Convention. Momen held the meeting with the visiting Norwegian Foreign Minister in Dhaka on Sunday. The newly appointed Norwegian Foreign Minister is on a two-day visit to Bangladesh as both countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year.

A Hercules C130 transport aircraft with some 2,000 anti-tank missiles for Ukraine has taken off from Norway. The weapons are to help Ukrainian forces resist Russia’s invasion, which began last week. Norway’s national news agency NTB said the shipment was being sent from Oslo on Thursday to a third country before being transported to Ukraine. Also read: Russia-Ukraine War: What to know on Day 8 of Russian assault Also Thursday, Germany’s economy ministry approved sending 2,700 anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine, the dpa news agency said. The agency quoted unnamed Economy Ministry officials saying the weapons are Soviet-made, shoulder-fired Strela surface-to-air missiles left over from East German army supplies. Germany reversed its previous refusal to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons last week, following Russia’s attack. Also read: Russia-Ukraine War: Vaccine manufacturer braces for complications

Norwegian mass killer Anders Behring Breivik goes to court, Tuesday, after 10 years behind bars, claiming he is no longer a danger to society and attempting to get an early release from his 21-year sentence. The far right terrorist has shown no remorse since slaying 77 people in a bomb and gun massacre in 2011, and families of victims and survivors fear he will grandstand his extreme views during the hearing, which experts say is unlikely to deliver him an early release. Randi Rosenqvist, the psychiatrist who has followed up Breivik since his 2012 jailing, says “I can say that I do not detect great changes in Breivik’s functioning,” since his criminal trial when he bragged about the scale of his slaughter, or his 2016 human rights case, when he raised his hand in a Nazi salute. “In principle and practice someone seeking parole would have to show remorse, and to show that they understand why such acts cannot be repeated,” she said. Read: Assailant with bow and arrows kills 5 people in Norway She will give evidence at his hearing and submit the psychiatric report, which is typically crucial if criminals are to demonstrate they are no longer dangerous. “That is unlikely to happen,” said Berit Johnsen, research professor at University College of Norwegian Correctional Service. “I think it is quite obvious that there still is a high risk that he will commit new crimes if he is released.” The hearing is due to last three days, but the verdict will not be announced for several weeks. It was July 22, 2011, when, after months of meticulous preparations, Breivik set off a car bomb outside the government headquarters in Oslo, killing eight people and wounding dozens. He then drove to the island of Utøya, where he opened fire on the annual summer camp of the left-wing Labor Party’s youth wing. Sixty-nine people there were killed, most of them teenagers, before Breivik surrendered to police. In 2012 Breivik was handed the maximum 21-year sentence with a clause — rarely used in the Norwegian justice system — that he can be held indefinitely if he is still considered a danger to society. It is this clause that means he can demand a parole hearing after 10 years. And while this likely means a lifelong sentence, it also opens the possibility that Breivik can demand annual parole hearings where he can broadcast his views, says Johnsen. “According to Norwegian law he has a right now to go before a judge,” said Øystein Storrvik, Breivik’s defense lawyer. “He emphasizes that right. And his motivation for doing so is difficult for me to have an opinion on.” Storrvik confirmed that Breivik will call the Swedish neo-Nazi Per Oberg to speak in his defense. He would not otherwise outline the basis of Breivik’s case, but made it clear that nobody should expect contrition. “According to the law there is no obligation that you have to be remorseful,” said Storrvik. “So it is not a legal main point. Absolutely the legal problem is whether he is dangerous.” Read: Rohingya Crisis: Norway always with Bangladesh Lisbeth Kristine Røyneland, who heads a family and survivors support group, fears giving Breivik a platform could inspire likeminded ideologues. “I think he is doing this as a way of getting attention. The only thing I am afraid of is if he has the opportunity to talk freely and convey his extreme views to people who have the same mindset,” she said. She pointed to the case of Norwegian shooter Philip Manshaus who, inspired by the 2019 New Zealand terror attacks, murdered his stepsister and attempted to storm a mosque. Breivik has form for grandstanding to try to further his extremist goals. During his 2012 trial, he entered the courtroom daily flashing a closed fist salute, and telling grieving parents that he wished he had killed more. He has been trying to start a fascist party in prison and reached out by mail to right-wing extremists in Europe and the United States. Prison officials seized many of those letters, fearing Breivik would inspire others to commit violent attacks. In 2016, he sued the government, saying his isolation from other prisoners, frequent strip searches and the fact that he was often handcuffed during the early part of his incarceration violated his human rights. He made a Nazi salute toward journalists during the case which he initially won, but was overturned by higher courts in 2017. Beyond providing a pulpit for the killer, the case could re-open psychological wounds for families of victims, and survivors, says Røyneland. “I think personally it is absurd he has this possibility. I think he is ridiculous, but you have to remember that him having all this attention will be hard for the survivors and the parents and some people can be retraumatized.” At the time of the attacks, Breivik claimed to be the commander of a secret Christian military order plotting an anti-Muslim revolution in Europe. Investigators found no trace of the group. In 2016 he described himself as a traditional neo-Nazi, saying his earlier crusader image was just for show. Breivik has three cells to himself in the high-security wing of Skien prison. The cells are equipped with video game consoles, a television, a DVD player, electronic typewriter, newspapers and exercise machines. He also has daily access to a larger exercise yard. Rosenqvist said his conditions are “excellent” and that he has been given the opportunity to pass his high school exams and is now studying at university level. The court that convicted him in 2012 found him criminally sane, rejecting the prosecution’s view that he was psychotic. Breivik didn’t appeal his sentence.