– Words are becoming poor today. Nevertheless, it is important for me, on behalf of the Agder police district, to apologize strongly and clearly. Police chief in Agder Kjerstin Askholt said this at a press conference on Friday afternoon. – The Agder police and Kripos were responsible for the investigation in Kristiansand in the early years. We in Agder stand fully behind the state attorney’s decision today. We must bear part of the responsibility for the fact that Kristiansen has spent many years in prison, she said. – Time to be humble Today came the news that the Attorney General believes Viggo Kristiansen should be acquitted of the Baneheia murders. Viggo Kristiansen had his case reopened in February last year. After 18 months of intense investigation, the case ended up on the Attorney General’s table. Agder police district was responsible for the case until February last year, when the case was reopened, and the Oslo police began a new investigation. – It is time for self-examination and time to be humble. I want an external review of the whole case and that it should be externally led with regard to legitimacy, says Askholt. Stands behind the attorney general Up to 100 people from the Agder police and Kripos participated in the work to clear up the case. – The aim was to clear up the case in order to give relatives a final answer to what had happened and to hold them accountable for the horrific acts. This work resulted in charges against Kristiansen and Jan Helge Andersen. – Nevertheless, we stand here today, says Askholt. Kjerstin Askholt apologizes to everyone involved in the Baneheia case on behalf of the Agder police district. Photo: Per-Kåre Sandbakk / news The chief of police stands on behalf of the Agder police district, fully behind the attorney general’s decision to acquit Kristiansen. – The rule of law has a responsibility. Overall, we have not been able to ensure that for Viggo Kristiansen. She continues by saying that today’s decisions show that the police have not been able to give the next of kin answers about what happened in Baneheia on 19 May 2000. – To the family of Viggo Kristiansen, to Stine Sofie Sørstrønen and Lena Sløgedal Paulsen’s next of kin and to all who are otherwise affected, I apologize deeply and sincerely, says Aksholt. – I am deeply affected Justice Minister Emilie Enger Mehl held a short press conference on the Viggo Kristiansen decision on Friday. – The Attorney General has today reached a decision in the Baneheia case. As Minister of Justice, I cannot comment on the assessments made by the prosecution. Until the case is decided by the court, it is still an ongoing criminal case. She said that the government will set up an independent investigative committee to look into the Baneheia case. – I am strongly affected by what has come to light today. If the Court of Appeal pronounces an acquittal, this will be one of the biggest legal scandals in Norway’s recent history, stated the Minister of Justice. Minister of Justice and Emergency Situations Emilie Enger Mehl. Photo: Even Bjøringsøy Johnsen / news The State Attorney in Agder has apologized. The Agder State Attorney’s Office was responsible for the Baneheia case until February 2021. After that, the case was transferred to the Oslo State Attorney’s Office. On Friday afternoon, the first state attorney in Agder apologized to Kristiansen. – I stand behind the Attorney General’s apology on behalf of the prosecution, for the injustice committed against Viggo Kristiansen and his close relatives. That the case is deeply tragic for Kristiansen and the entire rule of law is a view I fully share with the Attorney General, says First State Attorney Erik Erland Holmen. – As the Attorney General, I have the deepest understanding that the readmission process and the Attorney General’s decision are also a great burden for the survivors and next of kin of Stine Sofie Sørstrønen and Lena Sløgedal Paulsen, he says.
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See the Agder police’s press conference about Viggo Kristiansen in the Baneheia case – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
