News From the North: Varg Vikernes denied parole

Taken from: http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article2477398.ece

Convicted murderer Varg Vikernes ( of Burzum) is too dangerous to be released into society, according to justice officials. Government critics fear that his background as an ideologically motivated church-burning arsonist, and his connections with neo-Nazi groups, are making it impossible for him to get a fair parole hearing.

Vikernes is serving a 21-year sentence, the maximum that Norwegian law allows, for murder ( of Mayhem lead guitarist Øystein Aarseth aka Euronymous) and setting fire to three churches in 1993. Having spent the last 15 years behind bars and after serving two thirds of his prison time, he has become eligible to apply for parole.

Case workers at the Justice Ministry fear that Vikernes will be unable to adjust to life on the outside after his years in jail. They have turned down his application.

"I can't understand it. They want me to make arrangements with social services, even though this is unnecessary. Must I be on welfare in order to be released? I have a house, a job and a family waiting for me," Vikernes told daily newspaper VG.

The authorities emphasize that Vikernes escaped from prison in 2003 and that he has ties to neo-Nazi groups.

"I haven't been in contact with them for a long time. Police security services know this," Vikernes responded.

Parole authorities refuse to comment on the reasons for rejecting his application, referring to the confidentiality that surrounds such hearings.

"The authorities are worried that they might be considered to be soft on unpopular convicts," says a professor of criminology at the University of Oslo, Kristian Andenæs, when criticizing the verdict.