German Tourists Charged with Arson in Norway's Lofoten Islands

Two German men in their 20s have been indicted on five arson counts stemming from a series of fires in the village of Laukvik on Austvågøy, Lofoten, during July last year. The charges include setting fire to the chapel at Laukvik cemetery on two occasions, igniting a plastic tub containing dried cod heads, and lighting a wood shed near a residence, actions that threatened lives and caused damage exceeding one million Norwegian kroner.

The suspects were apprehended after local residents raised suspicion and more than 30 locals intervened during a forest‑fire incident. They were held in custody for several weeks before being released and allowed to return to Germany. Their trial is scheduled to begin on 10 August at the Salten and Lofoten District Court in Svolvær and is expected to last five days. Lawyer Patrick Lundevall‑Unger, representing one of the accused, says his client acknowledges partial responsibility but not the most serious allegations, while police lawyer Emilie Kaels Kalleberg confirmed the upcoming court dates.

The indictment cites the so‑called “murder‑fire paragraph,” noting that two people were present in the dwelling at the time of the blaze and “could easily have perished if the fire had not been discovered in time.”