Man in 50s suspected in Hagen case is in Istanbul

A man in his 50s, now formally suspected in the disappearance of Anne-Elisabeth Hagen, is currently in Istanbul, Dagbladet reports.

The man’s defence lawyer, Victoria Holmen of Elden Advokatfirma, confirmed she travelled to Turkey on 6 June to meet her client. She told the newspaper that media coverage and his identification across social media have placed a heavy burden on him and his family.

Holmen said she has contacted police to ask when a prosecution decision might be expected, noting that the current charge appears to be technical in nature. She added that her client is willing to be interviewed by police if it would help resolve the case quickly.

The man is already known to Norwegian police and has prior convictions. Investigators have indicated the suspicion is largely based on his presence in Lørenskog on the day Hagen disappeared, 31 October 2018.

Several others have been previously suspected in the case, but those charges were later dropped after years of investigation. Police have stated they are not currently considering further legal action against the man in Istanbul, who has not yet been questioned by Norwegian authorities.

Hagen, who has not been found, is presumed by police to have been murdered.