The Rehearing Commission in Iceland has approved the requests of five men, or their heirs, sentenced in the Guðmundur and Geirfinnur murder cases, who asked for a rehearing, mbl.is reports.
All six people sentenced in the two cases had asked for a rehearing, but they are Erla Bolladóttir, Albert Klahn Skaftason, Sævar Ciesielski, who passed away in 2011, Kristján Viðar Viðarsson, Tryggvi Rúnar Leifsson, who died in 2009, and Guðjón Skarphéðinsson. They were sentenced to 1-17 years in prison by the Supreme Court of Iceland in 1980, but at the time of arrest, they were 20-32 years old.
Erla had been acquitted of any punishable conduct, but was sentenced for falsely accusing others. Her request for a rehearing was denied. Other requests for a rehearing regarding sentences for falsely accusing others were also denied.
Tryggvi Rúnar’s daughter commented, “We’re delighted and grateful to the Rehearing Commission for showing this courage, and for making this decision.”
Hafþór Sævarsson, Sævar Ciesielski’s son, posted on Facebook, “Dad, we’re finally there! We, the siblings, can finally celebrate, because your name will be cleared. Our father fought all his life for the truth in these matters, and for his innocence to be recognized. The disappearance of two men was exploited by the investigating parties.”
For background information on the murder cases, please read our story from this morning.
