The Metropolitan Police has arrested six people on suspicion of having murdered a man in his late 30s on Wednesday evening. The attack is believed to be related to conflicts within the criminal underworld of Reykjavík. Initial news reports speculated that the attackers had been collecting drug debts, but the victim's wife denied this claim in an interview with the local news site Vísir.
The attack took place at a farm on the outskirts of Reykjavík. The farm, Æsustaðir, is located in Mosfellsdalur valley, on the road leading to Þingvellir National Park.
Victim leaves a wife and infant daughter
The victim has been identified as Arnar Jónsson Aspar. He was at home with his fiancé, Heiðdís Helga Aðalsteinsdóttir and infant daughter when the attack took place. The woman's elderly grandfather had been visiting, and witnessed the attack. The man recently lost his wife and suffered a heart-attack witnessing the murder of his grandson-in-law.
According to the sources of Vísir the people arrived at the home of Arnar in a Reykjavík suburb Mosfellsdalur on Wednesday evening. When Arnar came out to talk to the people, the group attacked him. Several people witnessed the attack.
Used metal pipes, drove over the victim
Shortly after the attack began Arnar fell to the ground, but was able to get back on his feet, grabbing a metal broom which he then used to defend himself. His defense caused some of the attackers to flee, but others continued the assault. The people used metal pipes in the attack, beating and kicking Arnar repeatedly.
One of the attackers managed to disarm Arnar, who then attempted to flee, but fell to the ground. One of the attackers, Arnar's childhood friend, then pounced on Arnar, pinning him down, beating him in the head. The others attackers then joined in, beating and kicking Arnar. Witnesses say attackers held Arnar's hands behind his back while they beat him.
Arnar's wife told the local news site Vísir that the people beat Arnar until he was unconcious before driving over him in what is described as an American pickup truck. Police has impounded the vehicle. Attempts to resuscitate the victim failed, and he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the National University hospital in Reykjavík. Arnar's ten day old daughter slept through the attack.
According to the sources of Vísir this man called emergency number 112 during the attack to request an ambulance. A recording of the phone conversation indicates Arnar was still alive when the call was made. The caller is can also be heard cursing Arnar as he was dying.
Police arrests the attackers
Yesterday the Metropolitan Police arrested all six people who participated in the attack. The people are being held on suspicion of being responsible for the death of Arnar.
They are being held in solitary confinement in Hólmsheiði prison outside Reykjavík.
All six attackers have a long criminal record, including drugs related charges and violent assaults, including attacks on police officers. At least two of the attackers are suspected of being members of organized crime gangs.
Police has said the investigation into the attack has receive absolute priority.
The Metropolitan Police has arrested six people on suspicion of having murdered a man in his late 30s on Wednesday evening. The attack is believed to be related to conflicts within the criminal underworld of Reykjavík. Initial news reports speculated that the attackers had been collecting drug debts, but the victim's wife denied this claim in an interview with the local news site Vísir.
The attack took place at a farm on the outskirts of Reykjavík. The farm, Æsustaðir, is located in Mosfellsdalur valley, on the road leading to Þingvellir National Park.
Victim leaves a wife and infant daughter
The victim has been identified as Arnar Jónsson Aspar. He was at home with his fiancé, Heiðdís Helga Aðalsteinsdóttir and infant daughter when the attack took place. The woman's elderly grandfather had been visiting, and witnessed the attack. The man recently lost his wife and suffered a heart-attack witnessing the murder of his grandson-in-law.
According to the sources of Vísir the people arrived at the home of Arnar in a Reykjavík suburb Mosfellsdalur on Wednesday evening. When Arnar came out to talk to the people, the group attacked him. Several people witnessed the attack.
Used metal pipes, drove over the victim
Shortly after the attack began Arnar fell to the ground, but was able to get back on his feet, grabbing a metal broom which he then used to defend himself. His defense caused some of the attackers to flee, but others continued the assault. The people used metal pipes in the attack, beating and kicking Arnar repeatedly.
One of the attackers managed to disarm Arnar, who then attempted to flee, but fell to the ground. One of the attackers, Arnar's childhood friend, then pounced on Arnar, pinning him down, beating him in the head. The others attackers then joined in, beating and kicking Arnar. Witnesses say attackers held Arnar's hands behind his back while they beat him.
Arnar's wife told the local news site Vísir that the people beat Arnar until he was unconcious before driving over him in what is described as an American pickup truck. Police has impounded the vehicle. Attempts to resuscitate the victim failed, and he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the National University hospital in Reykjavík. Arnar's ten day old daughter slept through the attack.
According to the sources of Vísir this man called emergency number 112 during the attack to request an ambulance. A recording of the phone conversation indicates Arnar was still alive when the call was made. The caller is can also be heard cursing Arnar as he was dying.
Police arrests the attackers
Yesterday the Metropolitan Police arrested all six people who participated in the attack. The people are being held on suspicion of being responsible for the death of Arnar.
They are being held in solitary confinement in Hólmsheiði prison outside Reykjavík.
All six attackers have a long criminal record, including drugs related charges and violent assaults, including attacks on police officers. At least two of the attackers are suspected of being members of organized crime gangs.
Police has said the investigation into the attack has receive absolute priority.
