A man in his twenties was stabbed with a knife in downtown Reykjavík yesterday evening behind a building on Austurvöllur square. The man was transported to the National Hospital where he underwent surgery and his condition is “as may be expected,” according to a press release from the capital area police department.
Police were tipped off on the incident between 10:00 and 11:00 PM last night. They went to the scene and made four arrests in relation to the case. Three were released from custody shortly afterwards. The police states that the fourth is “of a young age,” and “housed in the appropriate facilities.” Vísir reported that the injured man had run into Pósthús food hall after the incident, where he received first aid treatment, and walked out to the ambulance himself.
Media coverage of several violent incidents in Iceland this year has many in the public concerned that the rate of violent crime is increasing in the country. However, statistics show that Iceland’s homicide rate has in fact decreased per capita. Many recent crimes have involved young, Icelandic males, however, which Professor of Criminology Helgi Gunnlaugsson believes should be studied. “It’s important to understand what’s going on in their minds, what’s happening in their environment so that they think this is how you solve conflicts or arguments,” he said. “It’s important to look at the ideology. These young Icelandic males think carrying these weapons around is important and they are prepared to use them. We need to study what’s happening with young males that are on the margins of society,” he told Iceland Review last year.
