Prosecutor seeks life sentence for Icelandic defendant
The main trial of the Icelander accused of fatally shooting a woman in her seventies at her home on October 24 last year is currently underway before the District Court of Solna, northwest of Stockholm, and is expected to conclude in just over two weeks. Composite image/AFP/Swedish Police
“The defendant has confessed to his role in the case concerning a 63-year-old woman who was shot to death in her home in Stockholm exactly one year ago,” said Alexandra Bittner, district prosecutor and lead prosecutor in the case against the Icelander, in an interview with mbl.is.
The Icelander stands trial along with two other defendants — a man and a woman — charged with murder. In addition, all three are charged with attempted murder after visiting the home of another person, reportedly listed as a target for revenge by the Swedish Dalen crime gang, but failing to find the intended victim at home.
According to reliable information from the Stockholm police, the defendants — or at least the Icelander, who is considered the main suspect — allegedly accepted payment to carry out the killing.
Earlier reporting on mbl.is described the main suspect as being half Icelandic, but according to official court information from the District Court of Solna, both his parents are Icelandic. They lived in Sweden, where the defendant obtained Swedish citizenship in early 2010.
The main defendant in the Akalla case is an Icelander who obtained Swedish citizenship in 2010, though both of his parents lived in Sweden for a time. Photo/Swedish Police
“A turbulent relationship”
“The co-defendants deny the charges,” Bittner told mbl.is. “We are now halfway through the main hearing, and the [Icelander] will testify tomorrow and be asked to explain the sequence of events.”
When asked what punishment the prosecution will seek, Bittner responded firmly:
“In my view, the appropriate penalty for a crime of this nature is life imprisonment,” she said, pausing for emphasis.
Asked whether the female co-defendant was or had been in a relationship with the main suspect, Bittner replied:
“It is our understanding that they were involved in a turbulent relationship — on and off — but had not been together for the two years preceding the crimes.”
The trial before the Solna District Court is expected to continue through October.
“We will likely conclude closing arguments on October 22, possibly the 23rd, depending on how proceedings unfold,” said Bittner.
“A verdict can be expected roughly two weeks later.”
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