Deputy prosecutor Helgi Magnús Gunnarsson defends remarks on asylum seekers amid scrutiny in Iceland

Helgi Magnús Gunnarsson, a deputy prosecutor, has stated he will vigorously oppose the public prosecutor’s request to temporarily suspend him from his position. He maintains that his remarks regarding asylum seekers and refugees from the Middle East were measured and truthful, emphasizing that they stemmed from threats his family has faced over the past three years.

Gunnarsson asserts that his statements are a necessary response to inform the public about ongoing issues, insisting he approached the matter with caution. He described the public prosecutor’s request as absurd and unwarranted, expressing disbelief that the Minister of Justice would consider such a move based on this proposal.

The public prosecutor, Sigríður Friðjónsdóttir, clarified that the reprimand Gunnarsson received in 2022 was related to multiple instances of his expressions, not solely concerning his comments on asylum seekers and homosexual men. She noted that these issues date back to 2017 and emphasized that his failure to improve his conduct following the reprimand contributed to the decision to forward his case to the Ministry of Justice.

Friðjónsdóttir also highlighted that the complaint filed against Gunnarsson by an association was not the sole reason for the decision, indicating there were additional factors involved.