– We started with wiretapping on 27 September 2019. It was wiretapped until just before Christmas, then we stopped, and started again in January 2020. Paulsen told this when he testified in Haugaland and Sunnhordland district court today. news has previously reported that the man who is currently charged with the murder of Birgitte Tengs was subjected to a long-term covert investigation. Today, Paulsen was able to tell more about this hidden investigation. However, parts of this investigation are confidential. Among other things, neither the prosecution nor the police have been able to say anything about whether undercover agents were used in this case. But the case analyst could talk about other things. – We also had wiretapping in the period immediately before the arrest, Paulsen said. Finn Arve Paulsen was able to say today that the police followed the 52-year-old for periods of time. Photo: Marthe Synnøve Johannessen / news Followed The case analyst was able to say that the police had secretly searched the 52-year-old’s sea shed, the motorhome and several times at his home. In connection with these searches, the police wanted to make sure that he did not discover them. Therefore they had their own people who followed him. – The surveillance involves trying to follow him, for example to the shop, you can tell what he buys. It is solely to have control over him in connection with searches. – You follow him, defender Stian Trones Bråstein asked. – In the limited periods just before the searches, he is followed, but otherwise it is very little, Paulsen replied. During the searches, among other things, contents from memory cards, PCs and from a game camera were seized. The police also secured traffic data from the defendant’s phone, and had control over his car, especially in connection with the searches. 3D scan of the defendant’s home. Photo: Kripos Discovery The 52-year-old defendant said during his statement that he realized that someone had been inside his house. He told the court that he thought it was writer Bjørn Olav Jahr. Case analyst Finn Arve Paulsen said that the police understood that the defendant had discovered that someone had been inside his house, because he ordered a new lock. – On 16 December, there was a phone call from Stord lock service (2019, journal note) that the cylinder is ready. It may indicate that he had already been aware that there had been people inside, said Paulsen. The case analyst could also say that the police monitored the 52-year-old on camera for periods of time. Was informed about the investigation Towards the end of the explanation, Paulsen was questioned by the defenders. Several times, the prosecution had to postpone informing the 52-year-old about the hidden investigation. – Why was it important that he and the defenders should not find out, Bråstein asked. – The defendant was not taken out, and it was to have the possibility that it was not notified at all. – Why was it important? – I have no other answer than that it was considered that at that time they did not want to notify because no charges had been brought. – But you are the one who wrote that the police are asking for it? – When it was decided that access should be granted, because the case was sent from the police, it was sent to the public prosecutor. The point of intersection is when charges were brought, then it would have been impossible for this to become known. When an indictment has been issued, it must be notified. As soon as it became clear that it was going that way, it was sent to you, said Paulsen. Defender Bråstein thought it was a vague answer from Paulsen. He wanted to know why you were kept secret for so long as the defendant was in custody the whole time after his arrest in September 2021. Defense attorney Stian Bråstein wondered why the police did not want to tell about the hidden investigation. Photo: Marthe Synnøve Johannessen / news – The main rule of the law is that you must be notified. NNs had been in custody for a year, and you know very well what the findings were, Bråstein said. The judge reminded the defender that assessments had been made about this. In connection with covert investigations, “shadow lawyers” are appointed, also for the accused. – The underlying rationale does not appear here. I’ll leave it at that, concluded Bråstein. Birgitte Tengs was found murdered on 6 May 1995. A 52-year-old man from Karmøy is now charged in the Tengs case, and the trial begins on Monday 7 November 2022.
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The police followed the 52-year-old to the store – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
