Two German tourists charged with arson in Lofoten fires

Two German tourists in their 20s face serious charges in Norway after allegedly starting multiple fires in the scenic Lofoten islands last summer. The men are accused of setting fire to a chapel on Laukvik cemetery on two separate occasions, causing its total destruction. They are also charged with igniting a pile of dried cod heads, which spread and caused damages exceeding one million kroner.

One of the accused faces an even more severe charge under Norway's "murderous arson" statute. Prosecutors allege he set fire to a woodshed near a residential house, where two people were present. The indictment states that "one or both individuals could easily have died had the fire not been discovered in time."

The defense attorney for the man facing the most serious charges stated that his client partially admits guilt but denies the most severe allegations concerning endangering lives and causing significant damage to the property. The two men were apprehended after locals became suspicious following the initial fires. When a fire broke out in a wooded area, over 30 residents intervened, detaining the suspects until the police arrived. They were held in custody for several weeks before being released and allowed to return to Germany.

The trial is scheduled to begin on August 10th in Svolvær, with five days allocated for the proceedings. Police prosecutor Emilie Kaels Kalleberg confirmed that the two German nationals are expected to appear in person at the Salten and Lofoten District Court.

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Han erkjenner bare delvis skyld, ikke for de groveste forholdene i tiltalen