MP warns Sterkaj release could send wrong message to criminals
Thursday 13th August 2026 on 18:45 in
Iceland
Sigurður Örn Hilmarsson, an Independence Party MP and former chairman of the Icelandic Bar Association, says the parole of Angjelin Sterkaj could send a message that Icelandic authorities are lenient towards criminals, mbl.is reported.
Sterkaj was released and deported to Albania after serving about five years in prison for causing a man’s death in Rauðagerði. Sigurður Örn said the case was troubling, particularly because temporary legislation allows foreign prisoners to be deported after serving one third of their sentences.
He criticised the legislation because it effectively changes sentences imposed by the courts after they have been handed down.
“I felt uneasy when I read the report. It clearly showed the effect of these new laws, which shorten the sentences of foreign prisoners by allowing them to be granted parole earlier than they otherwise would have been,” Sigurður Örn said.
He said he was not an advocate of heavy punishments, but that justice and the sense of living in a just society were important.
Asked whether a prison term of this length could suggest that Icelandic authorities show criminals leniency, Sigurður Örn said there was reason to fear that.
“Yes, I fear that. Members of the parliamentary committee on general and education affairs visited Europol, where we learned about organised crime. It does not respect borders, and people may even buy crimes as a service. Criminals are hired to cross borders, and in that context it is particularly striking that foreign prisoners serve shorter prison terms than Icelandic prisoners,” he said.
Sigurður Örn also said Independence Party MPs had criticised the legislation’s retroactive effect, referring among other things to the separation of powers.
“When the final 16 year sentence was handed down by the Supreme Court, he should have served eight years before he could be granted parole. But now the legislature comes along afterwards and effectively shortens the sentence. That is why it makes one feel uneasy,” he said.