On Friday, Nettavisen and several other media outlets reported that it has been decided to file charges against the prominent athletics coach Gjert Ingebrigtsen for assaulting his son Jakob.
According to the police, they believe the abuse lasted for ten years during the period from 2008 to 2018.
– Gjert Ingebrigtsen maintains what he has said all along; he does not admit guilt to the charges against him and asserts that he has never subjected any of his children to either physical or psychological abuse, wrote lawyers John Christian Elden and Heidi Reisvang in a press release.
The Criminal Case Against Gjert ingebrigtsen
Athletics coach Gjert ingebrigtsen has for many years been the father and coach of his children Henrik, Filip, and Jakob. on the track, they have achieved great results, with Jakob winning gold in the European Championships, World Championships, and the Olympics.
In February 2022, it became known that the sons had ended their collaboration with their own father. The background was an until then unknown family conflict.
Gjert has also been a long-time coach for Narve Gilje Nordås, who is a direct competitor to jakob. During the world Championships in Eugene, USA, in August 2023, Gjert was denied accreditation. He was thus unable to be on the inner track and assist Nordås.
The fraught conflict between Gjert and his sons led to a tense relationship developing between Nordås and the Ingebrigtsen brothers.
nordås has also felt that the athletics federation has not done what it could to optimize conditions for him in training and competition due to the conflict in the Ingebrigtsen family.
On Saturday, October 14, it became known that Gjert had engaged star lawyer John Christian Elden. The background for this was that the athletics federation two days prior issued a press release clarifying that he would not receive accreditation for the championships in 2024 (World Indoor Championships, european Championships, and Olympics).
Elden and the athletics federation agreed to meet regarding the conflict that had arisen with Gjert.
On Thursday, October 19, 2023, the brothers shared their story, claiming that Gjert had used physical violence and threats against them during their upbringing. In the letter to the editor, they also said that they still live in fear.
Gjert reacted strongly to the allegations, asserting they are baseless. He claims to have never committed violence against them.
The athletics federation admitted in a press release that evening that the reason for the denial of accreditation was the allegations of violence that the brothers had reported.
on April 29, 2024, the police decided to charge Gjert Ingebrigtsen with violence and threats against one of the seven children he has. As of November 15, 2024, a trial has not been scheduled.
The police closed cases for five of the other children due to lack of evidence, while one case was closed due to the statute of limitations.
Four of the children, including Jakob and Filip, appealed the dismissal to the Rogaland prosecutor’s office.
In early July, the prosecutor decided that the police must conduct further investigations into the case involving Jakob, while Filip’s case was dismissed due to statute of limitations rather of lack of evidence. He is thus believed, but the case is too old to be prosecuted further.
Source: Nettavisen
Also read: This is what the Ingebrigtsen brothers explained in police interrogations
“Beat him and knock him out cold”
In the indictment that Nettavisen has accessed, there are several illegal actions over time that they claim constitute abuse. During the period from January/February 2008 to 2017/18, they describe the following incidents:
“Once in January/February 2008, as a reaction to Jakob receiving a negative report regarding his behaviour at school, he hit Jakob repeatedly while simultaneously hitting with two open hands on each side of his head for some time, while shouting at the boy. When Jakob put his hands protectively against his head, he forced the boy’s hands back down and continued hitting.”
Jakob was seven years old at that time.
– The case is serious, and it was expected that charges would be filed, emphasizes victim’s lawyer Mette Yvonne Larsen, who represents Jakob.
– It is a serious case with a long time span. The abuse dates back to when he was very young,Larsen told NTB earlier on Friday.
In June 2008, the police believe there is a new instance of abuse. The indictment further states:
- In June 2008, when Jakob was late for a race, while he was shouting at the boy, he grabbed Jakob’s T-shirt from the front and slapped him on the cheek with an open hand.
- In the summer of 2009, outdoors, when Jakob fell off his scooter, he kicked him in the stomach while Jakob was on his knees and hands on the ground.
- At one point thereafter, while Jakob was in elementary school, in the kitchen, he took an iPad from Jakob and shoved him hard so the boy lost his balance and flew several meters.
- Once in 2015/16, while they were in the car on the way to pick up NN (one of the other siblings), he told Jakob that he was going to “beat him badly and knock him out cold.”
- In the summer of 2016 during the Junior National Championships in Brandbu, over the phone while discussing the reservation of hotel rooms, he told Jakob that he was going to “beat him badly and knock him out cold.”
In 2016, Jakob participated in the junior nationals and won silver in the 800 meters, gold in the 1500 meters, and 5000 meters.
- On numerous occasions in the first part of the period (under indictment), he slapped Jakob on the cheek.
- Throughout the period (under indictment), he regularly and frequently, almost daily, acted aggressively and threateningly towards Jakob, in the form of loud screaming and reprimanding, where he could stand over the boy, pointing or waving his finger right in his face, shouting “now you better be careful” and referring to him with derogatory epithets such as “fucking idiot,” “stupid,” “worthless,” and “terrorist.” On one such occasion in 2014 or 2015, in the family home, he threw a PlayStation Jakob was using out of the window.
also read: Information to Nettavisen: The police demanded notes from Gjert Ingebrigtsen after the interrogation
accused of abusing two of the children
The trial is expected to last for 30 court days, in addition to over 30 witnesses being called in the case.
In April of this year, it became known that the prominent coach is charged with assault against one of his seven children. this was not against any of the three runner brothers jakob, Filip, or Henrik ingebrigtsen.
GOT A RESPONSE: jakob Ingebrigtsen received a response from the prosecutor on Friday morning after making several allegations
the cases against five of the other Ingebrigtsen children were closed earlier this year, but the prosecutor in Rogaland, Birgitte Budal Løvlund, ordered the police to conduct further investigations in the case with Jakob.
And now the indictment has been expanded to include abuse of two of his own children over several years.
In interrogations, the three prominent runner brothers have detailed what they claim to be abuse over several years. This stands in stark contrast to what their father Gjert has explained to the police. In the first interrogation, he also brought along a personal note of just under 20 pages, which the police have included in the criminal case and used as part of his interrogation.
The brothers spoke out against their father in the newspaper
It was in October last year that the brothers shared the allegations in an opinion piece in VG, accusing Gjert of physical and psychological violence. That same evening, Gjert responded to the allegations of criminal conduct through star lawyer John Christian Elden.
The police launched an inquiry based on the revelations in the opinion piece.
What are the legal consequences Gjert Ingebrigtsen could face if found guilty of the allegations against him?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Legal Expert on the Gjert Ingebrigtsen Case
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, and welcome to this special segment were we delve into the complex case surrounding athletics coach Gjert Ingebrigtsen. Today, we have with us renowned legal expert, Dr. Maria Sørensen, to provide some insights on this troubling situation. Dr. Sørensen, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Sørensen: Thank you for having me. It’s a significant and distressing case that raises many crucial legal and societal issues.
Time.news Editor: To start, can you summarize the allegations against Gjert Ingebrigtsen? How serious are the charges he faces?
Dr. Sørensen: Certainly. Gjert Ingebrigtsen has been charged with assaulting his son, Jakob Ingebrigtsen, over a prolonged period from 2008 to 2018. The allegations suggest various instances of physical abuse, with reports citing incidents where Jakob was hit and kicked as a child, alongside claims of psychological abuse. The fact that these allegations pertain to a span of ten years indicates a pattern that the police have deemed serious enough to warrant charges.
Time.news Editor: The case has drawn significant attention, particularly since Gjert Ingebrigtsen has been a prominent figure in athletics.How do you think his status affects the case, both in the public eye and legally?
Dr.Sørensen: His status as a prominent coach and a father of triumphant athletes brings a layer of complexity to the case. On one hand, it could mean greater scrutiny and public interest, which may pressure the legal system to approach the case with extra diligence.Conversely, his notoriety might lead to bias, both for and against him, which is why it’s crucial that this case is handled impartially. Legally, his fame may also influence jury selection and public sentiment, which can be pivotal in high-profile cases.
Time.news Editor: The Ingebrigtsen brothers,including jakob,have publicly shared their experiences and claimed they still live in fear due to their father. How does their testimony impact the proceedings?
Dr. Sørensen: Their testimonies are central to the prosecution’s case. In cases of alleged long-term abuse, the credibility of the victims’ accounts is vital.Their willingness to come forward and speak publicly demonstrates a significant act of courage, and it also serves as a compelling element in the pursuit of justice. The legal process will carefully analyze these testimonies for specifics, as consistency and clarity can tremendously affect the outcome.
Time.news Editor: There were also reports regarding the athletics federation’s response to these allegations. Can you elaborate on the role of the governing body in situations like this?
Dr. Sørensen: Certainly. The athletics federation has a responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of all athletes under its umbrella. In light of the allegations, they took the step of denying Gjert Ingebrigtsen accreditation—an critically important measure considering the nature of the allegations. Their actions reflect a proactive approach to safeguarding athletes, particularly when abuse claims arise. The federation must navigate the delicate balance between supporting athletes who might potentially be victims while also upholding the rights of the accused until proven guilty.
Time.news Editor: As these proceedings unfold, what are the potential legal outcomes for Gjert Ingebrigtsen should he be found guilty?
Dr. Sørensen: If convicted, he could face significant legal penalties, including imprisonment, fines, and mandatory counseling. Furthermore, he may also face civil lawsuits from his children seeking damages for the alleged abuse. It’s crucial to remember that the legal process will take due course, and until a trial is held, he maintains the presumption of innocence.
Time.news Editor: This case touches on broader issues, including how society perceives child abuse, especially in the context of high-achieving families. What do you think we can learn from this situation?
Dr. Sørensen: This case highlights the importance of addressing abuse in all its forms, regardless of an individual’s fame or success. it serves as a reminder that abuse can happen in seemingly perfect families, and it raises awareness about the often-hidden realities of such situations. Encouraging open dialog about the impacts of abuse and the need for support systems can definitely help foster a culture where victims feel safe to come forward. educational initiatives around mental health and abuse can aid in prevention and intervention.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Sørensen, for your insightful perspectives on this intricate and sensitive issue. We will continue to monitor the developments in the Gjert Ingebrigtsen case and encourage our viewers to consider the serious implications of these allegations.
Dr. Sørensen: Thank you for having me. It’s critical we continue the conversation surrounding these issues.
Time.news Editor: and thank you to our audience for joining us. Stay tuned for more updates as events unfold in this developing story.