Six Icelanders face trial over alleged violent home invasion

The main hearing in the Reykholt case began at the District Court of South Iceland on Monday, mbl.is reports. The trial is expected to continue until August 25.

The case involves six Icelanders, five men and one woman, who have been charged with a serious violent offence allegedly committed in Reykholt, South Iceland, two years ago.

According to the indictment, the group allegedly broke into the home of a Maltese national of Palestinian origin, tied him up and subjected him to severe violence.

The man was allegedly held captive and threatened with a knife and a shotgun in order to force him to hand over his electronic identification and bank details. A total of 17.6 million Icelandic króna was then transferred from his account, and flight tickets were purchased in his name.

He was eventually forced to fly to Malta, where it was discovered that he had suffered very serious injuries.

The defendants range in age from 19 to their seventies. They are related to one another and all pleaded not guilty when the case was formally brought before the court in March.