Four Icelandic men were arrested yesterday, September 21, for terroristic plots against state institutions and civilians.
In the press conference which took place at 3pm today, the police have stated it is safe to assume either parliament or the police themselves may have been targets. The police have so far not been forthcoming with details of the arrests.
Stundin reports that the suspects are men in their twenties and were found to have hoarded a number of weapons, including dozens of semiautomatic guns and large amounts of ammunition. Nine houses are reported to have been searched. Semiautomatic weapons are considered especially deadly, as they can hold high-capacity magazines.
According to Stundin, the suspects may be connected to other international organizations under investigation by the police.
At the press conference, Chief Police Inspector Karl Steinar Valsson stated, “It’s safe to say that our society is safer than it was before.” He continued: “This is the first investigation of its kind to be launched in Iceland. Of course, we don’t want to reveal what the exact police response was. But at the height of the operation, 50 police personnel took part.”
The case is still developing, but as Stundin notes, acts of terrorism can carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment in Iceland. In addition to violent terroristic acts, financing terrorism can carry a maximum sentence of 10 years, and inciting terroristic acts can carry a maximum sentence of 6 years.
The men are also suspected of having 3D-printed components of the firearms in question.
This is a developing story and details are subject to change. Iceland Review will update coverage of the story as it develops.
