An Icelander is facing sex offence charges in Reykjanes District Court for being naked on his balcony, and for walking around naked in his own apartment with the window shades open.
DV reports that the judge in the case, Sveinn Sigurkarlsson, asked if the mental state of the defendant, Ólafur Bertelsson, 71, has ever been assessed. The reasoning for the question is probably based on Ólafur’s behaviour in court. During the course of the trial, Ólafur has repeatedly interrupted the judge and his lawyer by clearing his throat and mumbling. It also came to light that Ólafur has phoned the judge, which is considered highly inappropriate contact between a defendant and an officer of the court.
This is actually the second time Ólafur has been in court for this offence. In 2008, he was given a five-month probationary sentence for sleeping naked on his balcony, and for walking around in his apartment naked with the windows uncovered.
Ólafur told DV that he believes he has every right to be naked in his own home. “Do you think I could forbid you from being naked in your own apartment?,” he asked rhetorically. “I believe that I could not, my good woman. It could very well be that I may not sit outside on my balcony naked, I don’t know.”
His neighbours have complained over the course of the last year that they have seen him naked in his windows. The judge has postponed proceedings for the meantime.
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