President of the Norwegian parliament (Storting) Eva Kristin Hansen (AP) resigned on Thursday, after the public prosecutor has ordered a fraud investigation against six representatives of the Storting for possible violations of the commuter rules.
On Thursday evening, it was announced that the Oslo Police District would open an investigation into the Storting’s commuter cases and at least six representatives of the Storting, following media reports.
At present, the prosecuting authority has no specific suspicion or indictment of anyone. However, it referred to the legislation that requires it to investigate possible criminal offenses when such information is available.
“I take it for granted that I am among them (note: the six),” Hansen told NTB.
“I think it is unsustainable for the Storting to have a president who is under police investigation. I have therefore contacted my party leader and parliamentary leader and informed them that I would resign,” she noted.
Fraud investigation
On Thursday night, Chief State Attorney Lars Erik Alfheim issued an investigation order based on the news that several representatives of the Storting may have practiced the commuter regulations incorrectly.
“In light of what has emerged, there is reasonable reason to investigate whether there is a criminal offense – namely, fraud,” Alfheim wrote.
The Oslo Police District will now investigate whether the Storting representatives have received unjustified benefits by getting commuter housing on an invalid basis.
Six representatives
“During the autumn, at least six named Storting representatives’ possible misinterpretation of the aforementioned regulations has emerged through the media. Several of the elected representatives have also spoken out in the media,” Alfheim wrote in the investigation order that was announced on Thursday night.
“The investigation will be carried out as quickly as possible so that no one is unnecessarily exposed to suspicion or inconvenience,” Alfheim added.
Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews
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