– Terje was a person with whom many in this town had a relationship. He included people regardless of age, what country they came from or whether they were rich or poor. You were always welcome at Terje’s place. Hanna Aase in Kristiansand talks about her friend Terje Grindheim, who was shot and killed in Mexico City on the night of Friday 22 November. The Norwegian was on his way from the international airport in a taxi, when he was shot at by perpetrators on motorbikes. Grindheim was shot and killed in a taxi in Mexico City. Photo: SOCIAL MEDIA/Police According to a report from the police in Mexico, the taxi driver has explained that two people on a motorcycle drove up to the car and shot at the rear window. According to the police, Grindheim was found dead next to the car. The deceased’s suitcases are said to have been left next to him. There are surveillance cameras everywhere in the big city. One of them will show the suspected perpetrators on their way from the crime scene. Nevertheless, no one shall be arrested. This photo has been published in the Mexican media and is supposed to show a photo of the two alleged perpetrators. Photo: Mexican police Want help from the authorities Aase is asking the Norwegian authorities to do more to solve the murder. – I am reacting to the fact that we do not immediately send someone when Norwegians are killed abroad. Because there is something about being close to an investigation, and especially in countries that are unfortunately known for corruption, also on the part of the police. Terje Grindheim was shot and killed in Mexico. Photo: Privat She thinks it is important to stand up for her friend who had no close family, and believes that precisely this can mean that the case is not given priority. – There is no doubt that in cases where there are parents sitting crying on TV and saying; “our child was killed abroad”, then it creates a lot of attention. Regardless of what was the cause of this murder, I think someone has to do this. Hanna Aase says that the days are tough and the nights are sleepless after her friend was killed in Mexico. She hopes the Norwegian authorities will help solve the murder. Photo: Espen Bierud / news – Giving assistance The Ministry of Foreign Affairs tells news that it is the authorities in the country where the criminal act took place that is responsible for investigating the case. – We understand that this is a very big strain on friends and relatives. The Norwegian Foreign Service provides consular assistance in this matter in line with normal practice. We have a duty of confidentiality in consular matters, says Mathias Rongved, who is a communications adviser at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Norwegian authorities cannot intervene in a legal process in another country. – The Foreign Service has no role in any investigation of deaths, but can assist Norwegian and foreign police authorities in establishing contact, if desired, says Rongved. – Unusual Remnants of barrier tape still remain, where Grindheim was killed over a week ago. Investigative journalist and crime expert in Mexico, Deborah Bonello, says it is very rare for tourists to be killed in the capital. – Because violence and attacks against foreigners lead to a lot of attention from embassies and diplomacy, says Bonello to news. Bonello has read the police report, but does not know the details of the police investigation. She still believes that there are many indications that the attack was planned. – I think it is unlikely that it was a random robbery where someone was looking to find valuables in bags. I think they followed him from the airport and that it was planned, says Bonello. Such a murder as Grindheim was subjected to is, according to Bonello, a known procedure for organized criminals. news has tried to get an interview with the prosecutor’s office in Mexico City without success. Local police in Mexico have not provided information on what could possibly be the motive for the murder. Investigative journalist and crime expert in Mexico, Deborah Bonello, says it is very rare for tourists to be killed in the capital. Photo: Miguel Tovar Fierro Few are convicted Over 42,000 people were killed in Mexico last year. Many of them are victims of the brutal war between the powerful drug cartels and the authorities. In Mexico, only about 1 in 10 murderers are convicted. Bonello therefore believes that pressure from the Norwegian authorities can be important in solving the murder of Terje Grindheim. – It depends on how much pressure Norway puts on the Mexican authorities. We have seen a very low resolution rate for murders of this type, she says. Such a murder as Grindheim was subjected to on the street in Mexico is, according to Bonello, a known procedure for organized criminals. Photo: Miguel Tovar Fierro news has been in contact with Kripos, who indicate that the responsibility lies with the police in Mexico. The police in Agder have also previously indicated that Mexican police are investigating the case. – The Norwegian police have not been requested for assistance and therefore the Norwegian police have not initiated an investigation, the police wrote in a press release last week. Hanna Aase in Kristiansand says the last week has been demanding and that she still does not understand that her friend is gone. – It is completely surreal and a shock! One tries to understand why this has happened. She visited Mexico herself with a group of friends 15 years ago and has only good memories of the trip. – Terje knew Mexico well, he loved the country and knew the people, says Aase. It was on the way from the airport in Mexico City that Terje Grindheim was attacked and shot. Photo: Miguel Tovar Fierro Published 02.12.2024, at 19.43 Updated 02.12.2024, at 20.59
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Terje (55) killed in Mexico
