Reversal Decision upheld in Court of Appeals
Article Rewrite
"Out on the streets, folks! A decision was made in the Court of Appeal just now," declared Sveinn Andri Sveinsson yesterday, but he's the lawyer for one of the alleged terrorists in Iceland's pioneering case.
These men have been incarcerated since September 21st under suspicion of plotting terror acts and weapons offenses, mostly in solitary confinement.
The ruling of the District Court of Reykjavik on December 9th, confirming their continued detention, was contested at the Court of Appeal.
A final psychiatric evaluation sealed their fate
Sveinsson reveals the reason for their release is a judgment by a court-appointed assessor stating that the defendants in this case no longer pose a threat to anyone, neither themselves nor others.
Sveinn Andri Sveinsson explains that their assessment, preliminarily referred to, has been followed by a final evaluation today, which led to the same result.
The district court had earlier maintained, and the Court of Appeal corroborated, that the police's risk assessment could be based on factors other than the psychiatric assessment.
However, the Icelandic court has surprisingly turned a 180°, agreeing that with this final psychiatric assessment in hand, there is no justification for keeping them imprisoned based on Article 95 (d) of the first paragraph of [the Act on Criminal Procedure], which addresses the possibility of detaining dangerous individuals.
Sveinsson points out that the nature of the case has been altered with the men no longer behind bars. "The case isn't progressing at the same pace as it would have otherwise."
The case never ends
Karl Ingi Vilbergsson, the prosecutor for the District attorney's office, affirms the Court of Appeal's decision to release the suspects in the terror case doesn't influence the case against them.
The two men have been in custody since September on charges of planning terror offenses and weapons offenses, with their detention initially scheduled to continue until January 6.
Has the case lost its severity?
Vilbergsson assures, "No, this ruling bears no impact on the case, whatsoever."
When questioned about how the Court of Appeal can release individuals charged with attempted terrorism for serious weapons offenses, imprisoned for investigative and public interest reasons, he references the verdict of the Court of Appeal.
"This ruling by the Court of Appeal will soon be made public. It speaks for itself."
No comment from you on this matter?
Vilbergsson responds, "I have an opinion on this, but I won't voice it."
- Sveinn Andri Sveinsson's client, one of the alleged terrorists, had their detention overturned by the Court of Appeal, following a final psychiatric evaluation that found they no longer pose a threat.
- The court's decision to release the suspects does not end the general-news case against them, as confirmed by Karl Ingi Vilbergsson, the prosecutor for the District attorney's office.
- Vilbergsson suspects the nature of the case may change now that the men are no longer in custody, affecting its progression.
- Despite having an opinion on the ruling, Vilbergsson remains silent, citing the forthcoming public release of the Court of Appeal's decision for further clarification on the crime-and-justice matter.
