The case in summary One of the biggest online abuse cases in Norwegian history is still awaiting a verdict due to a legal issue. The question is whether it is a criminal offense to help two children perform sexual acts against each other. The prosecution believes it is punishable, while the defense believes the opposite. The wait for the verdict has been a great burden for those involved, including the 184 offended children. The accused man in his 50s came into contact with children under the age of 6 via the internet and made them perform sexual acts against himself and other children. The man, who worked at a school, has pleaded guilty, but denies that he is sexually attracted to children. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAI. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. In June, the final line was set for one of the biggest online abuse cases in Norwegian history, and all that was left to do was wait for the verdict, it was thought. Now a legal question has led to the parties having to appear in court again, five months after they had actually finished in court. Because is it a criminal offense to help get two children to perform sexual acts against each other? Lawyer Sol Elden stands and talks with prosecutor Maria Skog, Thor Erik Høiskar and Thea Flaatten during the main hearing in court. Photo: Alexander Kjønsø Karlsen / news Important question Yes, according to the prosecution. No, says the defender. This is precisely what the man has done online. In court, video evidence was presented showing the man instructing children who perform sexual acts against each other. – This is a topic that was brought to the fore in another case in the Court of Appeal, says defender Sol Elden. Here, the Court of Appeal concluded that it was punishable, but the judgment is not legally binding and has been appealed to the Supreme Court. – We felt it was right to bring the question to the table in this case as well, she says. – But isn’t this a banal question? – I think it is an important question. Because in the legal text, and especially in the penal code, where society is in a position to impose a penalty on the individual, it is important that we maintain the strict requirements for clarity and comprehensibility that appear in the constitution. – So it may seem like a banal question, but I think it is an important question to clarify. Should it come to the conclusion that the wording does not cover such conditions, the legislature must step in to amend or add to the law, she says. Thinks it is punishable But the prosecution’s view is crystal clear, we are to believe state prosecutor Thor Erik Høiskar. – The public prosecutor believes that it is punishable, and as we understand it, the Supreme Court has done so in other cases, says the state attorney. District court judge Tarjei Ræder Breivoll will decide whether it is a criminal offense to help two children perform sexual acts against each other. Photo: Alexander Kjønsø Karlsen / news When the question is now raised, he believes that it is natural that they get to express their opinion about this in court. At the same time, the waiting time is a big burden for those involved. Incomprehensible – For my clients and their guardians, the waiting time from the time the case was completed in the district court to now is a great burden. Waiting for a judgment for more than five months is perceived as inappropriate for them and many of the clients do not understand that it is happening, says Charlotte Ringkjøb. She is the legal representative for 184 of the offended children. Charlotte Ringkjøb is the legal representative for 184 of the offended children. Photo: Alexander Kjønsø Karlsen / news – For non-lawyers, it is difficult to understand the “fine legal” problem that has arisen. I fully understand that, she says. Waiting for the verdict has also been a burden for the accused. – Going and waiting is rarely positive, but he understands that the court needs time. It is a very extensive matter, and it is important that it receives as thorough a treatment as it should have. Even if there are many victims, the evidence cannot be treated any easier. It is a complex matter. There are over 200 cases that have been dealt with at the same time, says Sol Elden. Comprehensive case The case went to court for seven weeks. It was via online chat services that the man in his 50s came into contact with children as young as 6 years old. He is said to have caused the children to perform sexual acts against themselves and other children on the now defunct website Omegle. He himself recorded the abuse. In total, there are 447 self-produced videos with a playing time of 48 hours and 39 minutes. The man, who worked at a school, has pleaded guilty. But denies that he is sexually attracted to children. – I know it is very difficult to believe, considering what has happened. But I claim that I am not. I could never imagine doing something like that. And I have never done it in my normal life either, said the man when he explained himself to the court. Published 11.11.2024, at 07.35
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Have waited five months for the verdict – now they have to go to court again – news Nordland
