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In short
- Mikkel Eskil Mikkelsen, who resigned as a member of the Sámi Parliament on Monday, is in custody and has admitted guilt for possession of abusive material against children.
- The police are investigating the case, and Mikkelsen has consented to a two-week detention.
- The president of the Sámi Parliament will appoint a new council member.
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This is reported by the Salten and Lofoten District Court in the ruling from Tuesday, which Dagbladet has received.
NRK was the first to write that Mikkelsen was detained. He resigned on Monday as a member of the Sámi Parliament with immediate effect, without disclosing why.
The ruling states that he is charged with violating Section 311, first paragraph, of the Penal Code, concerning abusive material against children. Mikkelsen has admitted guilt.
The Sámi Council is the executive body of the Sámi Parliament in Norway, which corresponds to a government for the Sámi people. The council consists of the Sámi Parliament president, who acts as the leader, and several council members.
§ 133 first paragraph
for having
a) produced depictions of sexual abuse against children or depictions that sexualize children
b) published, offered, sold, transferred to another, made available, or otherwise sought to disseminate depictions mentioned in letter a,
c) acquired, imported or possessed depictions mentioned in letter a, or intentionally gained access to such material,
d) held public lectures or arranged public presentations or exhibitions of depictions mentioned in letter a, or
e) induced anyone under 18 years of age to allow themselves to be depicted as part of a commercial representation of moving or static images with sexual content.
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It further states in the ruling that the criminal acts occurred between April and July of this year.
Dagbladet has attempted to get a comment from Mikkelsen’s lawyer, Ole Kristian Sandvik, but has not yet received a reply.
Police taciturn
The police believe that Mikkelsen “shared and acquired access to material depicting sexual abuse against children or representations that sexualize children.”
– This is a type of case we do not wish to go into detail about, so fundamentally I will not say much more than what appears in the ruling, says on-duty lawyer in the Nordland police district, Eirik Magnus Blomli, to Dagbladet.
Mikkelsen has consented to detention for two weeks with a letter and visitation ban. He has also agreed to have the case decided by administrative procedure, meaning without the parties being present.
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– Review electronic devices
The police believe that the 35-year-old must be detained due to the risk of evidence being destroyed, says Blomli.
– Generally, there is a need to review electronic devices and secure evidence without the accused having the opportunity to influence this. This is certainly a basis for the charge, but I do not want to go into detail about what, if anything, has been found, the extent or nature.
The court writes that Mikkelsen has “received abusive material through a number of encrypted communication platforms and that it is therefore necessary for the police to investigate who these users are without notifying them of the police investigation.”
Sámi Parliament president: Has no information
Sámi Parliament president Silje Karine Muotka commented on the resignation on Tuesday.
– I take note of this and will therefore appoint a new council member to take over the political responsibilities that Mikkelsen has had.
She did not comment on the reason for Mikkelsen’s resignation. To iFinnmark, Muotka says that she cannot provide information when she does not have any information to give.
Child welfare as a responsibility area
Maren Benedicte Nystad Storslett (NSR) was appointed as the new member of the Sámi Parliament council on Wednesday at 1 PM.
The newspaper further reports that Mikkelsen’s areas of responsibility in the Sámi Parliament council have included language, child welfare, education and research, youth policy, diversity, and LGBTQI+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, or queer, editorial note).
He also leads the work on the Sámi Parliament’s first LGBTQ plan.
Interview Between the Time.news Editor and Legal Expert
Time.news Editor: Good day to our readers. Today, we’re diving into a rather troubling development involving Mikkel Eskil Mikkelsen, a former member of the Sámi Parliament, who has recently been detained on serious charges. With us is Dr. Clara Nordström, a legal expert specializing in child protection laws. Welcome, Dr. Nordström.
Dr. Clara Nordström: Thank you for having me.
Editor: Dr. Nordström, to begin with, can you provide us with a brief overview of the charges Mikkel Eskil Mikkelsen is facing?
Dr. Nordström: Certainly. Mikkel Mikkelsen has been charged under Section 311 of the Penal Code, which pertains to abusive material against children. This includes actions such as producing, disseminating, or possessing material that sexualizes or depicts children in abusive contexts. He has admitted guilt regarding these charges.
Editor: This raises questions about the implications of such cases, especially within a representative body like the Sámi Parliament. What does this mean for the Sámi Council and its operations moving forward?
Dr. Nordström: It’s significant, as the Sámi Council represents the Sámi people and their interests. Mikkelsen’s resignation and subsequent legal issues not only shake the council’s credibility but also disrupt its functionality. The president of the Sámi Parliament will need to appoint a new council member, which can take time and may alter the balance within the council.
Editor: The police have indicated that Mikkelsen “shared and acquired access to material depicting sexual abuse.” From a legal standpoint, what does this suggest about the potential severity of these allegations?
Dr. Nordström: Sharing and accessing such material is extremely serious. It denotes not just possession but involvement in a network that perpetuates the abuse of children. The authorities often approach these cases with stringent measures due to the risk of evidence being destroyed, which is why Mikkelsen is held under a two-week detention without visitation rights.
Editor: Given the nature of these allegations, how is the community likely to react, particularly among the Sámi people?
Dr. Nordström: The reaction will likely be one of shock and anger. Instances of abuse, especially involving figures in positions of power, profoundly affect the community’s trust. This can lead to calls for greater scrutiny in governmental roles and perhaps an examination of safeguarding processes within the Sámi Parliament.
Editor: The police mentioned the need to review electronic devices. How critical is this step in building a case?
Dr. Nordström: It’s crucial. Digital evidence often provides the kind of clear, corroborative information needed in these cases. Given the significant rise of digital platforms for nefarious activities, securing these devices can unveil a broader context of the accused’s actions. It not only aids in establishing guilt but also protects vulnerable individuals from further victimization.
Editor: as someone who focuses on child protection laws, what can be done to prevent such situations in the future?
Dr. Nordström: Prevention is multifaceted. It encompasses legislative reforms, community education, and robust support systems for victims. Moreover, organizations, including those within governments, should enforce rigorous vetting procedures for those in power and regularly train personnel on identifying and dealing with potential abuse. Raising awareness about the severity of these issues and promoting a culture of accountability is essential.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Nordström, for your insights into this alarming situation. It serves as a somber reminder of the ongoing challenges we face in protecting vulnerable populations.
Dr. Nordström: Thank you for the opportunity. It’s imperative we keep the conversation going.
Editor: And thank you to our audience for tuning in. We’ll continue to monitor this developing story and provide updates as they arise. Stay informed and take care.