Síminn staff say suspects deceived them over electronic IDs

Two employees of telecom retailer Síminn told the South Iceland District Court on Friday that suspects in the Reykholt case deceived shop staff into setting up electronic identification credentials on the victim’s phone, mbl.is reports.

One employee said she had been told that the victim was the stepfather of Andri Már Mortensen Birgisson and had recently been ill. Communication took place almost entirely through Andri in Icelandic, while the victim himself said very little.

The employee said nothing had appeared unusual. Andri and the victim had seemed calm, while Ingunn Rut Sigurðardóttir did not speak. She had not noticed any injuries, although she said it was noteworthy that the group entered the shop “hand in hand”.

A second Síminn employee, who received the group when they arrived, gave similar evidence. She said Andri had initially entered alone but was told that the victim had to be present for the electronic identification credentials to be set up.

Andri returned shortly afterwards with the victim and Ingunn. The employee recalled that they supported the man as they walked into the shop, but said she had not noticed anything unusual or seen any injuries.

Hearings will continue on Friday, with evidence expected from the victim’s supervisor and an acquaintance of the victim.