Police get extra weeks in Kársnes murder investigation

Two Polish nationals accused in the murder of a Polish man in Kópavogur have been remanded in custody for an additional two to three weeks, mbl.is reports. The man was killed in a home in Vallargerði, on Kársnes, in August.

One suspect will remain in custody until 20 November and the other until 26 November. Both have been held for more than 12 weeks, but the police have been granted extra time because the men were initially arrested abroad and held by foreign authorities before being transferred to Iceland from Poland and Spain.

Under the usual time limit, prosecutors must decide whether to bring charges before 12 weeks have passed if suspects are to remain in custody. The period is counted from the men’s arrival in Iceland, in line with court practice, said Ævar Pálmi Pálmason, assistant chief of police with the Capital Area Police.

He said the law allows courts to extend custody beyond 12 weeks in extensive cases when there are pressing investigative interests. The judge decides the length of any extension.

The murder took place on 9 August. Police arrested the two suspects on 12 August, but they were held abroad for a period before being brought to Iceland.

Ævar said the investigation was progressing, but police were still waiting for some evidence, including biological samples. He described it as a very extensive investigation and said its end was beginning to come into view.