Witness says accused knew victim had millions

A witness told South Iceland District Court on Friday that an accused man knew a Palestinian victim had nearly 20 million Icelandic krónur in his bank account before an alleged attack in 2024, mbl.is reports.

The witness, the victim’s employer, said Andri Már Mortensen Birgisson had gone alone to the victim’s home shortly before the attack and tried unsuccessfully to persuade him to accompany him to an ATM.

The employer said the victim had previously told him that Sigurður Gunnar Ásgeirsson, Andri’s father-in-law and another accused man, had seen his bank account and therefore knew he had more than 20 million krónur.

The employer described the victim as an exemplary employee who had worked for the company since 2021 and had only missed work once. He became suspicious when the victim failed to show up on the Monday after the weekend of the alleged attack.

He told the court that he received a text message from the victim that day, which he found unusual because they had always communicated through WhatsApp or Messenger. When the victim failed to appear at work the following day, the employer and his wife drove to the victim’s home. They found the victim’s tenant there with Sigurður.

The employer said Sigurður appeared unlike himself and reacted strangely when asked about the victim. Sigurður denied having seen him during the weekend.

The employer and his wife then began searching for the victim and contacted people close to him, including his daughter in Malta. She later told the employer that her father had been found in poor condition in Malta. The employer then reported the matter to police.

The witness also said he had helped the victim look for new housing several months before the alleged attack. Sigurður had intended to use his property for Airbnb accommodation and had therefore told the victim to leave. The employer was also aware of a rent dispute between the two men and had assisted the victim with it.

The employer said the victim was still recovering.