Without a doubt the best news of today, and perhaps even of this year*: Eva Joly has been appointed special adviser to the Icelandic government, in the investigation into the economic collapse and related crimes.
Anyone who has seen the interview with Joly that I linked to in the last post will understand how immensely monumental and heartening this is. Truly, it gives me such hope that someone with such great experience, integrity and high regard for truth and justice is going to play a key role in the investigation.
Because I was starting to despair, as were many of us. It took forever to appoint a special prosecutor: he was finally found in Akranes, a small town in the southwest of Iceland, and – with all due respect for his work – seemed primarily to have been appointed on the strength of not being related to anyone high up in the banking sector. Yes – it took months to find someone not believed to have a conflict of interests. Meanwhile, the economic crimes division of the National Commissioner of Police had been vastly downsized [while the Viking Squad had been strengthened - I wrote about that here] and the previous government seemed to completely dismiss the idea of having foreign investigators come in – something which many of us felt was absolutely essential given the small size of the nation and the corruption, croneyism and nepotism that has been rampant in this society for decades [which may be the reason the previous government was so negative about it].
Joly has already called it “a joke” that there are only five people currently engaged in the investigation – the aforementioned prosecutor, and four assistants. She cited a similar investigation currently underway in Norway, which is being worked on by 20 people.
In any case, let us hope there are brighter days ahead in terms of righteousness and justice. For as Joly pointed out in the interview, it is absolutely crucial for the future of this nation that its citizens have a feeling that justice has prevailed.
SLIGHTLY WARMER, BUT WINDY
It’s been a sunny day but has clouded over slightly now in the late afternoon and there’s still a fairly strong wind. I’m about to brave it, though, and head out for a run – something I haven’t done in weeks [run outside, that is]. Been on the run all day and am craving oxygen. 2°C [36F], sunrise was at 8.03, sunset due for 7.14 pm.
* Apart from the collapse of the government in January
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This is great news. I read some additional information about her after your last post, and she seems extremely intelligent, experienced, and above all, objective. Let’s hope she’ll help bring some transparency and accountability to those responsible.
I’m not sure that Eva will really be spending a lot of time on Iceland. It’s almost as if Iceland threw this title on her to try to force her to help. In the tv interview she said she would give her opinions and advice if asked and provide names of good foreign investigators, but wouldn’t take any formal position.
There’s a tv documentary on her work in Africa which you can see on the Norwegian tv website. That’s what her real interest is, and has been for many years — trying to solve the corruption issue there.
So Icelanders may be disappointed when she doesn’t spend a lot of time and attention here, which would be a bit unfair to Eva.
Even so, this is a great development. At least Iceland will get access to some qualified – and neutral – investigators. Let’s hope Sjalfstaedisflokkur doesn’t get control and kill the investigation.
Really, Iceland just just hire a whole team from Norway or France and the FME/Akranes people should stand aside and let the professionals go to work.
As for the investigation, that may prove disappointing. The bankers and other crooks have been constructing their scheme for at least five years, using thousands of employees and many lawyers and accountants specializing in hiding away money. And then Iceland would have to force open the bank secrecy laws of at least two countries. Plus you have the obstacle of a corrupt and incompetent Iceland High Court stacked with cronies and bridge-friends of David Oddson. A very difficult task.
My preference is for the Al Capone / Enron method. Threaten them with a lifetime in jail for tax evasion or conspiracy unless they give the money back. It worked in the Enron case – about 30 people were convicted of crimes, and even though the jail sentences were reduced or dismissed, everyone coughed up the money. A crude but effective approach.
Looks like good news, a pleasant change from the usual sort of news.
Flygill – In the tv interview she said she would give her opinions and advice if asked and provide names of good foreign investigators, but wouldn’t take any formal position. — Precisely. Act as an ADVISER.
In my view Iceland could wish for no wiser counsel than that of Eva Joly, thus her agreeing to advise the investigation is the most heartening news since the collapse, as Alda acknowledged.
I do not share Flygill’s doubts as to the validity of Eva Joly’s commitment to an Icelandic investigation. This leading European is no professional scalp-hunter and does not commit by halves. Joly’s extraordinary account in Justice Under Seige, which makes for a roller-coaster read, incidentally, is a testament to the ethic of judicial tenacity, the dynamic which informs her endeavours.
Even with her help it will probably take years to gather evidence and present it properly to the court. Let´s hope the Icelandic laws are written in such a way as to give little wiggle room for those who may be brought before a court. When she sought justice against the French energy giant Elf, there were 80 attorneys working for Elf vs her and 2 others for the prosecution. A similar scenario could take place here considering the unlimited resources of the folks that absconded with the wealth of the country.
The authorities (eg Minister of Justice) will obviously pick’n'choose from Joly’s recommendations. I wonder if the government will regularly release a list of all of Joly’s recommendations to date, together with the corresponding actions taken. Or perhaps Iceland’s equivalent to the UK’s Freedom of Information Act could needle-out such info…
Whilst the situation is better than it was a few days ago, as far as I can see no one has announced any change worth reporting.
http://icelandreview.com/icelandreview/daily_news/?cat_id=16539&ew_0_a_id=321163
Look at that budget. I’ve no idea what Eva or someone like her charges, but my guess is that you’d be lucky to get two of them for that. Even if we’re just talking regular people, that’s something like 7-8, and as they’re likely to be taken from the Economic Crimes division that’s a zero sum game anyway.
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