Capital punishment in Iceland
Encyclopedia
The medieval Icelandic Commonwealth
(930-1262), having no central executive powers, did not apply capital punishment. It was, however, possible for the Althing
to declare a man réttdræpur (English: "rightfully killable"). This made the killing of the person in question legal—although the executive power was invested in whosoever cared to pursue it, instead of being the duty of state officials.
According to a plaque at Thingvellir National Park, 72 people are known to have been executed in the period from 1602 to 1750. Execution methods included beheading, hanging, burning at the stake and drowning.
Later, when Iceland
fell under the Danish Crown
, Danish laws more or less applied. The frequency of capital punishment increased considerably with the adoption of Lutheranism
in the 17th century, but gradually disappeared by the mid-19th century.
took place on January 12, 1830, in Vatnsdalshólar in Húnavatnssýsla. The convicts were Agnes Magnúsdóttir, a farmhand, and Friðrik Sigurðsson, a farmer's son from Katadalur. Their crime was the murder of two men on March 14, 1828: Nathan Ketilsson, a farmer of Illugastaðir, and Pétur Jónsson of the Geitaskarð farm. The case was the basis for a 1995 film
Agnes by Egill Eðvarðsson .
. After 1830, dozens of Icelanders were found guilty of a crime punishable by death. Most of the cases were infanticide
s, where women who were unable to care for their newly-born illegitimate children would kill them. However, they were all granted a clemency by the King of Denmark. In 1869, a new law took effect in Iceland, harmonising Icelandic and Danish law—this law abolished the death penalty for lesser offences. In 1928 the death penalty was abolished entirely, and has not since had a place in Icelandic law.
Since the 1995 revision of the constitution
, the reintroduction of capital punishment is forbidden.
Icelandic Commonwealth
The Icelandic Commonwealth, Icelandic Free State, or Republic of Iceland was the state existing in Iceland between the establishment of the Althing in 930 and the pledge of fealty to the Norwegian king in 1262...
(930-1262), having no central executive powers, did not apply capital punishment. It was, however, possible for the Althing
Althing
The Alþingi, anglicised variously as Althing or Althingi, is the national parliament of Iceland. The Althingi is the oldest parliamentary institution in the world still extant...
to declare a man réttdræpur (English: "rightfully killable"). This made the killing of the person in question legal—although the executive power was invested in whosoever cared to pursue it, instead of being the duty of state officials.
According to a plaque at Thingvellir National Park, 72 people are known to have been executed in the period from 1602 to 1750. Execution methods included beheading, hanging, burning at the stake and drowning.
Later, when Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
fell under the Danish Crown
Danish Crown
Danish Crown may refer to several things.* Danish krone, currency used in Denmark* The monarchy of Denmark* Danish Crown Regalia, symbols of the Danish monarchy.* Danish Crown AmbA, a large meat processing company....
, Danish laws more or less applied. The frequency of capital punishment increased considerably with the adoption of Lutheranism
Lutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
in the 17th century, but gradually disappeared by the mid-19th century.
The last execution
The last application of capital punishment in IcelandIceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
took place on January 12, 1830, in Vatnsdalshólar in Húnavatnssýsla. The convicts were Agnes Magnúsdóttir, a farmhand, and Friðrik Sigurðsson, a farmer's son from Katadalur. Their crime was the murder of two men on March 14, 1828: Nathan Ketilsson, a farmer of Illugastaðir, and Pétur Jónsson of the Geitaskarð farm. The case was the basis for a 1995 film
Cinema of Iceland
Iceland has a notable cinema film industry. There are many actors to list who have caught international attention. The most famous film, and the only one to be nominated for the Oscar and European film awards, is Children of nature, directed by Fridrik Thor Fridriksson...
Agnes by Egill Eðvarðsson .
Abolition
Four years later, the last execution of an Icelander was carried out in DenmarkDenmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
. After 1830, dozens of Icelanders were found guilty of a crime punishable by death. Most of the cases were infanticide
Infanticide
Infanticide or infant homicide is the killing of a human infant. Neonaticide, a killing within 24 hours of a baby's birth, is most commonly done by the mother.In many past societies, certain forms of infanticide were considered permissible...
s, where women who were unable to care for their newly-born illegitimate children would kill them. However, they were all granted a clemency by the King of Denmark. In 1869, a new law took effect in Iceland, harmonising Icelandic and Danish law—this law abolished the death penalty for lesser offences. In 1928 the death penalty was abolished entirely, and has not since had a place in Icelandic law.
Since the 1995 revision of the constitution
Constitution of Iceland
The Constitution of Iceland is the supreme law of Iceland. It is composed of 80 articles in seven sections, and within it the leadership arrangement of the country is determined and the human rights of its citizens are preserved. The current constitution was first instituted on June 17, 1944; since...
, the reintroduction of capital punishment is forbidden.