Qatar scout group expelled from Iceland camp after harassment reports

A group of boys from Qatar was expelled under police escort from the national scout camp held in Akureyri from July 21 to 27, mbl.is reports. Scout leaders and police in Northeast Iceland confirmed the incident to Morgunblaðið.

The camp brought together scouts aged 10 to 17. Early in the event, organisers became aware of inappropriate harassment by boys in the group towards girls attending the camp.

The group did not stop after being reprimanded by the organisers, who then increased security at the camp. When that failed to resolve the situation, police were called and explained to the group that it had to leave.

Camp officials informed the participating scout organisations about the incident and promised to issue a statement immediately afterwards, but no statement was released at the time. After Morgunblaðið asked about the matter, organisers provided a statement that was published by the newspaper.

Iceland’s chief scout, Harpa Ósk Valgeirsdóttir, could not be reached for comment. Ragnar Þór Þrastarson, director of the Icelandic Boy and Girl Scout Association, declined to comment beyond the brief statement. Police confirmed their involvement and said child protection authorities in Akureyri had been consulted.