Crew members of ship Banderos free to move in Iceland's capital region

Twenty-one crew members aboard the ship Banderos have been granted freedom of movement within Iceland's capital region following a decision by the regional police. This change comes after a district court ruling found their continued detention on the vessel to be excessively burdensome.

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A judge ruled today that it was too burdensome for them to be there on board, so they will be issued a new decision by the police chief today that they can leave the ship but stay in the capital region and report to the police station once a day.

According to Ásgeir Þór Ásgeirsson, deputy chief superintendent of the capital region police, a judge ruled that keeping the crew confined to the ship was too restrictive. Consequently, the police issued a new directive allowing them to leave the vessel but requiring them to remain within the capital area and report to a police station once daily.

Despite this concession, the police intend to appeal the district court's decision to the national appellate court (Landsréttur). Ásgeir explained that the police are seeking a review of this novel legal interpretation, as it is the first time such a case has been tested. The judge apparently felt that a ship was not a sufficiently defined location for such restrictions.

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We are appealing this decision to the National Court because it is new and this is the first time this is being tested, so we will just see what the National Court says about this.

"Instead of getting twenty more complaints, we are just backing down in line with the judge's decision," Ásgeir stated, indicating a temporary compliance with the ruling. However, the police hope for a different outcome at the appellate level, suggesting they disagree with the district court's assessment of the situation and the definition of confinement.

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Instead of getting twenty more complaints, we are just backing down in line with the judge's decision.