zwiebel
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This is a deeply mysterious case, with some stunning, haunting photography of Reykjavik, Iceland, at the link. A haunting story by Simon Cox too.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/2014/newsspec_7617/index.html
It's about the 'murders' of two people in this tiny nation (population 300,000) in the 1970s;
Gudmunder Einarsson, 18, who disappeared Jan 26th 1974, during an inebriated walk home after a party, along a perilous, snow covered lava field (with crevices in the earth up to 30m deep). His body has never been found.
Geirfinnur Einarsson (no relation), 32, who disappeared November 19, 1974, after getting a call, leaving his wife and two children at home, and driving to a cafe in the nearby harbor of Keflavik. His car was found parked nearby but he remains missing.
In a twist that has all the appearances of a miscarriage of justice, 6 young people ended up being convicted of the murders. This followed months of incarcaration in isolation, with the threat it could continue indefinitely, dozens (up to 100) of lengthy interrogations without a lawyer, and even physical torture. Authorities prescribed drugs such as Diazepam for the detainees too.
No connection between the victims was ever established, being a dark-haired 'foreigner' seemed to factor in police investigations, no physical evidence ever connected the suspects to the disappearances, and it took months and months for police to collect statements from the suspects that in any way agreed with what may - or may not- have happened, and possible motives.
The springboard for the case seemed to be the questioning, two years after the first disappearance, of an 18 year old girl, Erla Bolladottir on an unrelated, minor crime. She was the girlfriend of dark-haired Saevar Ciesielski, 20, whose Polish surname stood out in the community. Erla was separated from her 11 week-old baby for long periods during her questioning. It's not known why, but investigators showed her a photo of missing Gudmunder, and when she said she had been at the same party he'd been to, things kicked off from there.
All six charged are/were free.Two died prematurely, including Saevar, who spent years trying to get his conviction overturned after his release. The other, Tryggvi Leifsson, left behind diaries he secretly kept in jail, where he wonders how he can have committed the murders police say he did, yet remember nothing.
Two, including Erla, continue to maintain their innocence.
Two, including one who is now a minister, rarely speak about the case.
'I'm certain this has put a huge stain on the reputation of the Icelandic police,' says Snorri Magnusson, head of the police union.
The case has been taken up by UK-based, Icelandic forensic psychologist Gisli Gudjonsson, who helped overturn the convictions of the Guildford Four and Birmingham Six in the UK.
I'd love to hear what others think about this case, and really recommend checking out the article - it is a long, amazing read. A radio show about this case will air in about half an hour, and you'll be able to listen online after, here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0435jz1
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/2014/newsspec_7617/index.html
It's about the 'murders' of two people in this tiny nation (population 300,000) in the 1970s;
Gudmunder Einarsson, 18, who disappeared Jan 26th 1974, during an inebriated walk home after a party, along a perilous, snow covered lava field (with crevices in the earth up to 30m deep). His body has never been found.
Geirfinnur Einarsson (no relation), 32, who disappeared November 19, 1974, after getting a call, leaving his wife and two children at home, and driving to a cafe in the nearby harbor of Keflavik. His car was found parked nearby but he remains missing.
In a twist that has all the appearances of a miscarriage of justice, 6 young people ended up being convicted of the murders. This followed months of incarcaration in isolation, with the threat it could continue indefinitely, dozens (up to 100) of lengthy interrogations without a lawyer, and even physical torture. Authorities prescribed drugs such as Diazepam for the detainees too.
No connection between the victims was ever established, being a dark-haired 'foreigner' seemed to factor in police investigations, no physical evidence ever connected the suspects to the disappearances, and it took months and months for police to collect statements from the suspects that in any way agreed with what may - or may not- have happened, and possible motives.
The springboard for the case seemed to be the questioning, two years after the first disappearance, of an 18 year old girl, Erla Bolladottir on an unrelated, minor crime. She was the girlfriend of dark-haired Saevar Ciesielski, 20, whose Polish surname stood out in the community. Erla was separated from her 11 week-old baby for long periods during her questioning. It's not known why, but investigators showed her a photo of missing Gudmunder, and when she said she had been at the same party he'd been to, things kicked off from there.
All six charged are/were free.Two died prematurely, including Saevar, who spent years trying to get his conviction overturned after his release. The other, Tryggvi Leifsson, left behind diaries he secretly kept in jail, where he wonders how he can have committed the murders police say he did, yet remember nothing.
Two, including Erla, continue to maintain their innocence.
Two, including one who is now a minister, rarely speak about the case.
'I'm certain this has put a huge stain on the reputation of the Icelandic police,' says Snorri Magnusson, head of the police union.
The case has been taken up by UK-based, Icelandic forensic psychologist Gisli Gudjonsson, who helped overturn the convictions of the Guildford Four and Birmingham Six in the UK.
I'd love to hear what others think about this case, and really recommend checking out the article - it is a long, amazing read. A radio show about this case will air in about half an hour, and you'll be able to listen online after, here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0435jz1