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Haarde Former Icelandic PM - guilty on one count

  • 23-04-2012 03:14PM
    #1
    beeftotheheels
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,675 ✭✭✭


    So the news is in. The former PM has been convicted of the lesser charge of failing to hold cabinet meetings but acquitted on the charges which carried prison sentences.

    http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/f774d980-8d50-11e1-b8b2-00144feab49a.html#axzz1rpKooBQH
    So, would anyone actually feel any better if we'd managed to convict Bertie or Brian of a similar non-custodian, even technical offense?

    I know that we're applauded the Icelandic prosecutors for bringing the case, I can't but somehow feel that the outcome is unsatisfying and yet to be expected.

    I noticed Karlth lurking. He might have updates on how it is all going down in Iceland.


Comments

  • #2
    Sierra Oscar
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 8,790 CMod ✭✭✭✭Sierra Oscar


    I think the most important point is the fact that he was found not guilty of negligence in regards the financial crisis.

    This is no surprise really. Stupidity is not criminality.


  • #3
    beeftotheheels
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,675 ✭✭✭beeftotheheels


    Sierra Oscar wrote: »
    Stupidity is not criminality.

    How eloquently put.

    I'm just curious whether the process of putting someone on trial has actually turned out to be cathartic given the actual outcome.

    Perhaps this is the Icelandic equivalent of a tribunal finding?


  • #4
    Dirk Gently
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,779 ✭✭✭Dirk Gently


    Sierra Oscar wrote: »
    Stupidity is not criminality.
    it is if there's laws against it, but there's no law against bankrupting a nation, unlike pissing in a laneway while locked or driving in a bus lane.


  • #5
    europa11
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,730 ✭✭✭europa11


    Did he lose his pension(s) or any other post-PM "entitlements"?

    At least if he did it may act as an incentive to drag Bertie and Biffo before the courts here.......wouldn't be holding my breath though!


  • #6
    Sierra Oscar
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 8,790 CMod ✭✭✭✭Sierra Oscar


    Dirk Gently wrote: »
    it is if there's laws against it, but there's no law against bankrupting a nation, unlike pissing in a laneway while locked or driving in a bus lane.

    True that - on a similar note we still really need to get our white-collar crime legislation in order.


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  • #7
    Ellis Dee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,510 ✭✭✭Ellis Dee


    Sierra Oscar wrote: »
    True that - on a similar note we still really need to get our white-collar crime legislation in order.


    That's for sure, but I suspect the Icelandic PM was not actually brought to court under white-collar crime legislation as such. Instead, I believe that in Iceland - as in the other Nordic countries - all public servants are responsible under criminal law for their actions in office. They can and do find themselves in the dock if, for example, an overseer of legality like the Ombudsman or the Chancellor of Justice orders a prosecution against them for tjänstfel/virkavirhe (literally "official mistake"), which can cover anything from serious negligence to gross malfeasance and incur penalties ranging from a fine to a spell in the hoosegow.:):)


  • #8
    karlth
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 119 ✭✭karlth


    Ellis Dee wrote: »
    That's for sure, but I suspect the Icelandic PM was not actually brought to court under white-collar crime legislation as such. Instead, I believe that in Iceland - as in the other Nordic countries - all public servants are responsible under criminal law for their actions in office.

    Correct.

    The right wing here in Iceland (Haade was the leader of the right wing party) claimed this was a political trial because Haarde's decisions as PM had actually saved Iceland's economy when he decided not to guarantee private bank debts (unlike Ireland). So the charges, which were made by a left wing dominated parliament, were politically motivated.

    The left wing on the other hand said that Haarde was charged because he as a PM should bear responsibility when a financial system collapses, private or not.

    In the end he was acquitted by a special session of the Supreme court of all charges apart from one, not holding regular government meetings when the crisis struck.


  • #9
    beeftotheheels
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,675 ✭✭✭beeftotheheels


    karlth wrote: »
    Correct.

    The right wing here in Iceland (Haade was the leader of the right wing party) claimed this was a political trial because Haarde's decisions as PM had actually saved Iceland's economy when he decided not to guarantee private bank debts (unlike Ireland). So the charges, which were made by a left wing dominated parliament, were politically motivated.

    The left wing on the other hand said that Haarde was charged because he as a PM should bear responsibility when a financial system collapses, private or not.

    In the end he was acquitted by a special session of the Supreme court of all charges apart from one, not holding regular government meetings when the crisis struck.

    How are people/ local press dealing with the court's decision?


  • #10
    karlth
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 119 ✭✭karlth


    beeftotheheels wrote: »
    How are people/ local press dealing with the court's decision?

    Those on the right(press and people) say the trial was politically motivated and the court's decision proves it while those on the left say that charging him was just, needed and point to him being found guilty on that one count.


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