A Parliamentary Assembly member is in Iceland today to look into the trial of former Prime Minister Geir Haarde.
Pieter Omtzigt (photo), who is preparing a report on ‘Keeping political and criminal responsibility separate,’ wants more information on why Haarde faced court proceedings for failing to take appropriate ministerial action to avert the 2008 banking crisis.
The Former Icelandic Prime Minister was convicted last month of negligence related to the collapse of his nation’s banking system but was cleared of three other charges and will face no punishment.
During his visit, Omtzigt is expected to meet with Haarde, his defense counsel and the prosecutor of the case. He will also meet the Chair of Iceland’s Constitutional Council, as well as two constitutional law professors and members of the Icelandic delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly.
As part of the preparation of his report, Omtzigt will also visit Ukraine to look into the criminal charges filed against former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and several members of her government.
The Assembly’s Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights will hold a hearing on this issue on 21 May in Paris.
