The woman attended a detention hearing in Salten and Lofoten District Court in Bodø on Thursday morning. She was previously convicted in the district court for posting videos on social media that defamed BUP employees and relatives, a charge she denies. She has appealed the conviction to the Court of Appeal.
The police sought to detain her for four weeks, citing a risk of reoffending. However, the district court ruled on Thursday afternoon that she should not be remanded in custody. Prosecutor Kaj Rønning-Nyvold has appealed the decision, meaning the Court of Appeal will decide on detention and she remains in custody until then. The appeal hearing starts on May 21. During the hearing, the woman promised not to publish more videos on social media before the appeal hearing. The court noted that if she publishes again, detention could be imposed quickly.
The outcome is correct. It shows that requirements are placed on the prosecution to request a person be detained for their lawful opinions.
The district court sentence was six months' unconditional imprisonment, 260,000 NOK in compensation, and a ban on using social media. The appeal hearing was originally scheduled earlier this year but was postponed due to the woman's health condition. According to NRK Nordland, defense lawyer Magne Ørstavik described the outcome as correct, saying it shows requirements are placed on the prosecution to request detention for lawful opinions. He also said his client is very happy. Ørstavik described the arrest as speculative, noting it happened right before the appeal hearing and concerned a report from six months ago where the police had done nothing.
My client is very happy.
I think it is speculative. It happens right before the appeal hearing. It concerns a report that goes very far back in time. It's about half a year where the police have done nothing.