Prosecutors seek up to 10 years in Reykholt assault case

Prosecutors have sought prison sentences ranging from three to 10 years for six Icelandic defendants in the Reykholt assault case, mbl.is reported. The defendants are accused of carrying out a particularly dangerous and serious assault on a Palestinian man in his sixties who held Maltese citizenship.

The assault took place at the man’s home in Reykholt, in Biskupstungur, in April 2024. Nearly 18 million Icelandic krónur were also transferred from his bank account, and he was sent to Malta.

The prosecution has sought eight to 10 years in prison for Ingunn Rut Sigurðardóttir and Andri Már Mortensen Birgisson. It said Ingunn’s alleged offences could carry a sentence of up to 16 years and involved deliberate intent. The prosecution also pointed to the victim’s extensive physical and psychological harm.

Andri is the brother of fellow defendant Pétur Már Mortensen Birgisson. Ingunn is the daughter of Sigurður Gunnar Ásgeirsson, the victim’s landlord, and Andri’s fiancée. The prosecution has requested that Ingunn and Andri each pay about 297,000 krónur in legal costs.

A sentence of six to eight years has been sought for Sigurður, who was the victim’s landlord, neighbour, acquaintance and possible friend when the alleged offences took place. The prosecution has also requested about 297,000 krónur in legal costs from him.

Four to six years in prison has been sought for Pétur and Níels Pálmar Benediktsson. In Pétur’s case, the prosecution cited the consequences for the victim, while also taking into account his young age at the time. He was 18 years old. The prosecution also noted that more than two years had passed since the alleged offences.

In Níels’s case, prosecutors said the evidence indicated that he had intended to commit the offence, even though he later disappeared. Although he did not receive money from the victim, prosecutors held him responsible for the consequences, including the financial consequences.

Finally, prosecutors have sought three to four years in prison for Halldór Logi Sigurðsson, citing the financial and physical consequences for the victim and Halldór’s criminal record.