Far right anti-Muslim groups that inspired Norway mass killer growing in 'reach, influence'

London, Apr 15 (ANI): The international network of far-right anti-Muslim groups that inspired Norwegian mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik to kill 77 people in a bombing and shooting rampage, is growing in reach and influence, according to a report.

A study conducted by anti-racism organization Hope Not Hate, covering 190 groups now identified as promoting an Islamophobic agenda, revealed that far-right organizations are becoming more cohesive as they forge alliances throughout Europe and the US.

According to the report, since Anders Behring Breivik's killing spree, the counter-jihad movement, a network of foundations, bloggers, political activists and street gangs, has continued to proliferate, The Guardian reports.

The report comes as Breivik will appear on trial in Oslo after confessing to the murder of 77 people in Norway last July, killings that he justified as part of a 'war' between the west and Islamists.

Nick Lowles, director of Hope Not Hate stressed that Breivik acted alone, but it was the 'counter-Jihadist' ideology that inspired him and gave him the reasoning to carry out these atrocious attacks.

"All eyes this week will be on what Breivik did last July, but we ignore those people who inspired him at our peril," the paper quoted Lowles, as saying.

According to the paper, researchers at Hope Not Hate named the UK as one of Europe's most active countries in terms of counter-jihad extremism, with 22 anti-Islamic groups currently operating. (ANI)