Minister of Justice, Björn Bjarnason, has asked for an extra amount of almost ISK 21 million (EUR 242,025, USD 305,188) out of the state budget to pursue the case against Baugur.
Fréttabladid reports that the case will have cost the state ISK 39 million (EUR 449,476, USD 566,778) by the end of this year. That sum excludes the cost of the investigation, which began on 28 August 2002. Originally, Baugur was charged with embezzlement on 40 different accounts, but most of the charges have been dismissed.
Fréttabladid quoted Björgvin G. Sigurdsson, MP for left wing political party Samfylkingin, saying that the Baugur case has cost both the state and the individuals involved dearly. He feels it is a disgrace for the Ministry of Justice and doubts whether the extra allocation of money can be justified.
But Björn Bjarnason does not feel that his request is inappropriate or that the cost of pursuing the case has blown out of proportion. The 18 remaining charges in the Baugur case will be heard in the District Court of Reykjavík on Tuesday.
To read more about the Baugur case, click here.
