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Norway's mass murderer Breivik admitted to bachelor's program at Olso university

Xinhua, July 17, 2015 Adjust font size:

Norway's mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik has been admitted to the bachelor's program in political science at the University of Oslo, but he has to remain in prison to study and, as a result, would probably not get a degree, local media reported on Friday.

The university's rector Ole Petter Ottersen said Breivik, 36, was admitted in line with regulations and "we must not allow individuals to change this," according to local newspaper VG.

However, Breivik must remain in his cell and would not be able to go to university campus or have any contact with other students or staff. Likewise, he cannot attend compulsory seminars or get personal guidance from staff, VG said.

Public broadcaster NRK reported that these conditions would make it difficult for Breivik to complete the degree as the bachelor's program in political science consists of nine compulsory courses, five of which require participation in seminars or personal guidance from staff.

Breivik first applied in 2013 to study at the University of Oslo but was rejected as he didn't have a high school diploma. After completing his diploma, he made another attempt in 2014, but was unsuccessful because his grades were insufficient.

He retook a series of exams last year and applied again to study politics at the university earlier this year.

Breivik has been living under the highest security of any prisoner in Norway without any contact with other inmates and visits have been very limited.

The far-right extremist set off a car bomb that killed eight people outside government headquarters in Oslo on July 22, 2011 and then killed 69 others in a shooting rampage on Utoya Island, where young members of the governing Labor Party had gathered for their annual summer camp.

In 2012, Breivik was sentenced to 21 years in prison at the Oslo District Court.

Norway's penal code does not have the death penalty or life imprisonment, and the maximum prison term for Breivik's charges is 21 years. However, inmates who are considered a threat to society can be held indefinitely. Endit