According to the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service, the Althing or National Assembly Ombudsman has sent a formal letter to Hanna Birna Kristjánsdóttir, Minister of the Interior, requesting her response to allegations that she attempted to influence an ongoing police investigation of her ministry. The minister has until August 15th to reply to the letter.
The Ombudsman sent the letter after having spoken to both Stefán Eiríksson, former police chief in Reykjavík, and state prosecutor, Sigríður Friðjónsdóttir. Two questions are posed in the letter: Did the minister summon the chief of city police wishing to discuss the ongoing police investigation of her ministry and, should such be the case, when did these meetings take place and what was discussed during these meetings.
As has been reported by local newspaper DV, Hanna Birna Kristjánsdóttir tried to influence a police investigation into possible leaked information from her ministry, prompting Stefán Eiríksson, former chief of police in Reykjavík, to resign. The minister has publicly denied the accusations.
The office of the Althing Ombudsman is elected for periods of four years. In his work the Ombudsman is wholly independent and is answerable to no other authority, including even the Parliament.
According to the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service, the Althing or National Assembly Ombudsman has sent a formal letter to Hanna Birna Kristjánsdóttir, Minister of the Interior, requesting her response to allegations that she attempted to influence an ongoing police investigation of her ministry. The minister has until August 15th to reply to the letter.
The Ombudsman sent the letter after having spoken to both Stefán Eiríksson, former police chief in Reykjavík, and state prosecutor, Sigríður Friðjónsdóttir. Two questions are posed in the letter: Did the minister summon the chief of city police wishing to discuss the ongoing police investigation of her ministry and, should such be the case, when did these meetings take place and what was discussed during these meetings.
As has been reported by local newspaper DV, Hanna Birna Kristjánsdóttir tried to influence a police investigation into possible leaked information from her ministry, prompting Stefán Eiríksson, former chief of police in Reykjavík, to resign. The minister has publicly denied the accusations.
The office of the Althing Ombudsman is elected for periods of four years. In his work the Ombudsman is wholly independent and is answerable to no other authority, including even the Parliament.
