Anders Behring Breivik wants German neo-Nazi terror suspect to be his pen pal

BERLIN, Germany — Anders Behring Breivik, the Norwegian jailed for killing 77 people in July 2011, always claimed to be part of a larger extremist movement, fighting to rid Europe of "the destroyers of our cultures, nations and societies."

So perhaps it's not surprising that he has sought the friendship of a member of Germany's radical right.

According to Der Spiegel, Breivik wrote from prison to Beate Zschaepe, the German woman accused of helping to commit at least 10 murders between 2000 and 2007 as part of a neo-Nazi terrorist cell.

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The letter, dated May 7, was intercepted by the authorities before it could reach its addressee. The Spiegel claims to have obtained a copy and today published excerpts on its website.

The quoted sections make clear that Breivik sees himself and Zschaepe united in a common cause. He writes, in English:

"We are both among the first rain drops which indicate that there is a massive purifying storm approaching Europe… We are both martyrs for the conservative revolution and you should be extremely proud of your sacrifice and efforts."

Smiley-face emoticons dot the text, which according to the Spiegel, runs to three pages.

Breivik tells Zschaepe, who he addresses as "sister," to write to him from jail if she is convicted, signing off: "I hope to hear from you :-)".

Zschaepe is currently awaiting trial on charges of accessory to murder and other crimes, for which she could face life in prison.

Two of her alleged accomplices were found dead last November, after a botched robbery that triggered the discovery of the cell that they had operated, undiscovered, for more than 10 years. Their self-proclaimed "National Socialist Underground" movement is accused of the murders of at least nine immigrant shop-owners and one policewoman, as well as several robberies and other racially motivated attacks.

Breivik is serving 21 years in jail for his attacks in Oslo and on Utoeya island, which he claimed were part of an anti-Islam crusade.