From Iceland — Tourist Held Hostage On May Day

Tourist Held Hostage On May Day

Published May 2, 2025

Photo by
Joana Fontinha/The Reykjavík Grapevine

On May 1, a man in his thirties was arrested in a police raid in downtown Reykjavík. The police received a call describing a man carrying a gun in a house on Hverfisgata, mbl.is reports.

The National Commissioner’s Special Unit was dispatched, alongside the Capital Area police, closing off a perimeter reaching Hverfisgata, Lindargata, Vitastígur and Klapparstígur.

On the evening of May 1, Reykjavík District Court sentenced the man to a four-week custody on the grounds of public safety. According to RÚV, the man is suspected of wielding a gun as he held a tourist hostage.

No information is available regarding the tourist’s well-being.

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