Former Kaupthing chairman and Interpol fugitive Sigurður Einarsson told reporters that there is “no merit” to the charges against him or other Kaupthing managers, which include fraud and market manipulation.
As reported, Sigurður arrived in Iceland yesterday to meet with special prosecutor Ólafur Hauksson for questioning. He has not been arrested, and his wanted listing on Interpol has been withdrawn. He spent the day in questioning yesterday, breaking only for lunch, at which time he emerged smiling but with no comment for the press. Questioning concluded at 18:00.
He did tell reporters, though, that there had been a “misunderstanding” with regards to why he didn’t come directly to Iceland for questioning, and instead holed up in the UK in a stand-off with the special prosecutor – he simply could not travel as long as a warrant for his arrest was still filed with Interpol.
Shortly after former Kaupthing manager Hreiðar Már Sigurðsson and two staff members close to him, Steingrímur Kárason and Ingólfur Helgason, were arrested last May, the special prosecutor announced that Sigurður was now wanted by Interpol. Sigurður was obstinate, insisting that he would not return to Iceland without assurances that he would not be arrested and detained, and refused to leave his home in the UK. His lawyer – attorney for the rich and powerful Ian Burton – accused the special prosecutor of behaving “like John Wayne in a cowboy movie.”
Sigurður’s questioning will resume today. He is not in custody and is, as such, a free man.