Icelander Taken Off Interpol’s Wanted List

An Icelander wanted by Interpol has been taken off the list, as the police have given him a chance to turn himself in back home.

RÚV reports that Gunnar Þór Grétarson, who earlier this week was a fugitive wanted by Interpol, has been taken off their list. According to sources close to RÚV, the reason is because the Icelandic police have managed to get in touch with Gunnar, and offered him the chance to come back to Iceland and turn himself in.

Gunnar is also allegedly in hiding in Thailand. Sources are not certain when he will be returning to Iceland.

As reported, Gunnar is suspected of taking part in the smuggling of four kilos of amphetamine to Iceland. Sources close to RÚV report that he had organised the operation.

Four years ago, Gunnar was convicted of having assaulted a police officer, and was sentenced to two years in prison. At that time, the court pointed out that he already had a long criminal record behind him, dating back to 1998.

Icelanders seldom make it onto Interpol’s wanted fugitives list, but when they do, it can be to international headlines. In 2010, former Kaupthing Director Sigurður Einarsson was wanted by Interpol for financial crimes. While in hiding in the UK, he told Icelandic reporters he would not come voluntarily – although he eventually did come back to Iceland, and was last February sentenced to four years in prison.