PM blackmail investigation concluded

Icelandic police have concluded their investigation into an alleged attempt to blackmail the Prime Minister and the case will be referred to the public prosecutor this week.

Sisters Hlín Einarsdóttir and Malín Brand were arrested back in May on suspicion of blackmailing Iceland’s Prime Minister, Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson, and a second individual.

Subject of blackmail attempt unknown

Prime Minister Gunnlaugsson received a letter from the pair asking for money in return for their silence on an as yet undisclosed topic. They were arrested at the designated pick-up point for the money.

The contents of the letter sent to the PM by Einarsdóttir and Brand are still unknown, although an official statement from Gunnlaugsson states that “[t]he letter indicated that if the demands were not met, or if the police were contacted, the media would be informed of the affair”.

Investigation into second case opens now

Now that this investigation is closed, the police will be turning their attention to the second blackmail case with which the sisters are connected.

The second individual paid Einarsdóttir and Brand ISK 700,000 (approx. €5,000) as “damages” for the man’s alleged rape of Einarsdóttir. After the man reported the blackmail to police, Einarsdóttir pressed rape charges.