Opinions: The indictment against Gjert Ingebrigtsen: Seriousness in every line

It is a bone-chilling twist in the case that the prosecution believes there is a basis for bringing proceedings. The indictment that has been brought concerns alleged threats, violence and coercion against one and the same child, who is not one of the three running brothers in the Ingebrigtsen family.

There is seriousness in every line in a painful and twisted matter. This is emphasized by the fact that the indictment covers a longer period of time, from 2018 to 2022.

At the same time as an indictment has been issued for something, parts of the case against Gjert Ingebrigtsen have also been dismissed or become obsolete. Again, we agree that the court must assess an indictment with seven specific subsections.

On the one hand, this case is quite special. Normally, domestic violence cases are dealt with far away from the public spotlight.

It is different when it comes to one of Norway’s most high-profile families. The flood light has been extreme over many years. The whole population could follow the popular TV series “Team Ingebrigtsen” on NRK.

The basis for the police launching an investigation into father Gjert was a chronicle written by the three running brothers Henrik, Filip and Jakob about the back side of their upbringing. The public element is also enhanced by the fact that one of Jakob’s foremost competitors, Narve Gilje Nordås, is trained by Gjert Ingebrigtsen with great sporting success.

On the other hand, it is important to remember that the court’s assessments must of course be made completely independently of who the case is about. The prosecution must be able to prove the records in the indictment. It should neither speak to Gjert Ingebrigtsen’s favor nor to his disfavor that his name is so well known. He himself denies criminal guilt. Like everyone else in a similar situation, he is to be considered innocent until proven guilty. It is important to keep that perspective at the fore when this matter is discussed in various forums.

The fact that the case, which will probably come before the court later this year, is of great interest does not mean that every detail has something to do in the public domain. Even very famous people must have the right to a private sphere. The delicate balance is demanding.

Outsiders cannot possibly understand what a burden it must be, and it is important to preserve the perspective that there are strong feelings involved in all parts of the extended family.

In the Norwegian public, it is particularly poignant that this case comes up in an Olympic year, where both Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Narve Gilje Nordås have great ambitions on the athletics track.

This case is so painful and difficult for everyone who is close to it, that it is of course impossible to remain unaffected. The athletes cannot do much other than prepare as best they can.

The sum of all the special things means that the case will become a topic in many contexts in the coming months, whether you like it or not.
But no matter how different the case may appear to be, we must not forget that the trial itself should only be about one thing only: Whether or not the requirements to convict under the criminal law’s domestic violence section have been met.