Dutch prisoner in Iceland wishes to remain behind bars
The Kvíabryggja prison in Snæfellsnes is classed as an open prison. Many of Iceland's white-collar criminals are serving their sentence there. Mbl.is/ Gunnar Kristjánsson
A Dutch man in his twenties who has been placed in custody at Kvíabryggja prison would like to remain at the prison although his custody expires today, explains his defence lawyer to mbl.is
The man has been in prison along with one other Dutch man and two Icelanders in connection with an extensive drug smuggling operation which they are suspected of. The Reykjavik District Court will be placing a foreign travel ban on the men today. Defence lawyer Ómar Örn Bjarnþórsson explains that his client has no place to stay in Iceland and has felt comfortable at the Kvíabryggja prison.
Kvíabryggja prison is located in Snæfellsnes, West Iceland and is classed as an open prison.
According to Icelandic law a person cannot remain in police custody for longer than 12 weeks unless the matter is taken to court or if interests vital to the investigation demand that he remain in custody. Bjarnþórsson says that clearly such interests are no longer the case. He adds that his client faces a difficult time ahead as he has no idea where and how long he will have to stay in Iceland.
"The case is still under investigation and has to go before the state district attorney or the regional district attorney who will decide whether to prosecute or not, this could take weeks or even months. "
