This afternoon the message came that Økokrim will announce on Thursday or Friday whether an investigation will be opened against Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt (Ap). But already on the day when the case broke, on 30 August, Økokrim stated the following: “(…) So far no information has emerged that gives Økokrim a basis for assessing questions related to insider trading.” Previously, the same Ecocrime chief Pål Kulø Lønseth declared himself incompetent. – Things have gone a bit fast in the corners Lawyer Erling Grimstad, who has previously been both head and deputy head of Økokrim, reacts to the procedure at his former employer. – What surprises me is that they made a decision so quickly that they should not start an investigation into the case, says Grimstad to news. Erling Grimstad, who has been both head and deputy head of Økokrim, reacts to Økokrim’s handling of the Huitfeldt case. Photo: Eva Marie Bulai / news He emphasizes that such demanding processes normally take a little more time, and explains that it can often take several weeks before the assessment is completed. – In this case, I think some may perceive this as a bit of hasty work. It has gone a little fast in the corners. – The Attorney General should have considered the case Grimstad also highlights the coincidence between the same day that the case broke, Økokrim said there was no inside discussion about the case and that the head of Økokrim declared himself incompetent. – When the head of Økokrim declares himself incompetent and the decision is nevertheless taken not to start an investigation, the process can look a bit messy and it can create an unfortunate impression that there may be other reasons why the decision was taken, he says. Ecocrime chief Pål Kulø Lønseth declared himself incompetent due to close cooperation through the Labor Party with Anniken Huitfeldt. Photo: Tore Linvollen In the last week, news has asked the Attorney General why they don’t think that the entire Økokrim is incompetent in this case, when chief executive Pål Kulø Lønseth is. The reason why Lønseth has declared himself incompetent is that the former Labor Party leader has collaborated closely with Huitfeldt in several cases, most recently in 2018. On Wednesday, the Attorney General replied that even though Lønseth has declared himself incompetent, that does not make the deputy leader incompetent. It is now assistant chief of Økokrim Inger Svae-Grotli who will deal with a possible investigation into the Huitfeldt case. Grimstad believes this is unusual handling. – It is not usual for an assistant manager to make an assessment when the manager is incompetent. Then that decision is moved up a notch. That is to say the Attorney General in that case here. That’s the usual. Trust in the police Last week it became known that Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt’s (Ap) husband has bought shares in, among other things, Kongsberg Gruppen and salmon companies while she has been a minister. Huitfeldt herself came out and apologized that she had not familiarized herself with her husband’s share trading while she was a minister. Grimstad believes that the handling of the case by both the Attorney General and Økokrim can weaken confidence in the prosecution. – It can create distrust in the police and it is very unfortunate, especially when it concerns key people in our society who enjoy a large degree of trust. Then it is extra important that you carry out a good, thorough and orderly process before you make this type of decision about starting an investigation or not, says Grimstad to news.
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Reacting to quick answers in the Huitfeldt case – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
