The European Court of Human Rights has rejected an appeal by Norwegian mass killer Anders Behring Breivik against his near-isolation in prison, which he says amounts to inhuman and degrading treatment.

Mr Breivik, who has legally changed his name to Fjotolf Hansen, killed 77 people in a car bombing in central Oslo and shooting spree on Utoeya island in 2011, the worst act of violence in the Nordic country since the Second World War.

The Strasbourg-based court "rejected the application as inadmissible for being manifestly ill-founded", according to a ruling by a committee of three judges.

"The decision is final," it said.

Mr Breivik, an anti-Muslim right-wing fanatic, says his near-isolation in a three-room cell violates a ban on inhuman or degrading treatment and a right to privacy and family life under the European Convention on Human Rights.

Oslo district court agreed with him in a 2016 ruling, but it was overturned by an appeals court in March 2017. Norway's Supreme Court declined to hear his appeal in the case.

Skien Prison: Where Anders Breivik is incarcerated Show all 5 1 /5 Skien Prison: Where Anders Breivik is incarcerated Skien Prison: Where Anders Breivik is incarcerated Skien prison south of the Norwegian capital, Oslo Reuters Skien Prison: Where Anders Breivik is incarcerated The gym at Skien prison which was turned into a courtroom for Breivik's appeal Reuters Skien Prison: Where Anders Breivik is incarcerated Viewing through the door into a cell inside Skien prison Reuters Skien Prison: Where Anders Breivik is incarcerated A bedroom study with computer(no internet access) in Skien prison similar to the one Breivik is housed in Reuters Skien Prison: Where Anders Breivik is incarcerated Two connecting cell rooms in Skien prison similar to the three rooms Breivik is kept in Reuters

Norway says that draconian measures, including hundreds of strip searches and no contact with other inmates, are justified for an unrepentant 39-year-old far-right extremist who could be attacked by other prisoners.

Mr Breivik is serving Norway's longest sentence — 21 years with the possibility of an extension. His only contacts are lawyers and professionals such as guards and health workers.

Mr Breivik's lawyer was not immediately available for comment.