Kristian Valen’s fascination with guns, and especially weapons of war, started early. Since then, he has amassed a large collection which the police have seized.
On Monday, Kristian Valen (48) arrived at the Oslo District Court with his partner wearing blue jeans, a dark sweater and a Dior scarf.
The well-known comedian is accused of serious violation of the Weapons Act, illegal possession of weapons and drug offenses. He denies criminal guilt.
In 2020, the police found 11 firearms at his address (see the photo above in the case) that were not properly sealed according to regulations. In total, according to the indictment, the police are asking for the confiscation of more than 50 weapons.
Read also: Kristian Valen explained himself in court: − Absurd.
From the witness stand on Monday, Valen opened up about his gun collection. He said, among other things, that his interest in guns started early with his grandfather telling war stories.
– I inherited my first pistol from him, it was sealed, he said.
Valen has always had two fascinations: watches and weapons of war.
– I’ve always had a certain number of sealed weapons at home. I bought replica pistols in Spain when I was 14 to keep at home, to collect.
In court, defense attorney Heiberg asked whether such a gun collection costs a lot of money.
– Oh yes, I’d say my collection is probably worth one to two million crowns, says Valen.
Co-defendant Anne-Marie Bjørnås Gulichsen told VG after Monday’s court hearing that the amount is “about two million”.
– Bad lucky
The weapons list in the indictment lists a number of handguns, automatic rifles, shotguns and airsoft weapons, as well as a “Eurocop, toy gun”.
– What is the background of the police who want to confiscate a toy gun?
– The background is that a toy gun can be mistaken for a normal weapon, and therefore you cannot have it in public, says prosecutor Andreas Meeg-Bentzen and continues:
– We will be filing a ruling in the District Court of Oslo where he was convicted of carrying a weapon-like object in public, and we find it very regrettable.
During the investigation, Valen did not allow himself to be questioned by the police.
– Of course, it is a pity that he is only explaining himself now, but it is his right, says prosecutor Meeg-Bentzen.
Due to Valen not explaining himself to the police in court, the police now have to investigate and verify the information he provided in court.
Used as props
Several videos of skits and music videos made by Valen were shown on Monday. There was a significant proportion of props and weapons.
– Since 2007, Valen has focused on the use of props and weapons in her operations. They are featured in skits, plays, and TV series. Valen has after she has been media attention in 2007, following his dismissal a shooting in his apartment, was sarcastic on his behalf and focused on “weapon-Valen” as a character, defense counsel Heiberg said in court.
On the screens in room 127 of the District Court in Oslo, among other things, a skit of Valen was filmed in connection with the Gullfisken award ceremony on TV 2. Valen says TV 2 suggested doing a skit in which he contested the media image of “Våpen-Valen”.
The prosecutor’s office says it takes all cases involving guns seriously.
– Valen says these are movie props?
– That doesn’t make it legal anymore, says prosecutor Meeg-Bentzen.
– Absurd
Defense attorney Heiberg has previously said he believes Valen cannot be held liable for weapons that have not been sealed in accordance with regulations.
– When the prosecutor reads it, he looks serious, but I think the whole thing is absurd, Valen said about the prosecution from the witness stand.
Valen gave an account of his gun collection on Monday. He said some of the guns date back to him when he had a gun license and was allowed to have guns. When he relinquished his gun license in 2007, he turned the guns over to police and asked them to seal them before he would give them back, he said in court.
He bought the remaining weapons from known arms dealers as pre-sealed props.
When VG asks the prosecution for Valen’s statements about the weapons he handed over to the police – and which he received sealed, Meeg-Bentzen replies:
– Let’s note what he says, then we’ll come back to it in the process.
«Hole in the rake»
The basic condition for the police to want to confiscate many of the weapons is that they believe there is an imminent danger of committing a crime.
In court, defender Heiberg asked Valen what he thought.
– If I can speak from “levra” with the dialect, it is “hål i håve”. It seems like another point that the police want to include to continue the harassment by simply abusing their power. That’s how I feel, Valen said.
– I’m sorry we’re sitting here today
It has been nearly three years since the circumstances of the prosecution arose.
The case was originally due in district court last summer, but was postponed following the police widening the charge to cover more guns.
In court, Valen recounted the strain the case had on him.
Among other things, he told of when he admitted detoxification in 2020. He himself had issued a press release and spoke of a challenging period, where alcohol had “become a companion that took over”. Today he has a completely different lifestyle and hasn’t had alcohol for more than two years, he says.
– I felt I was able to start a new and better life now, so it was a shame that this had to go back to court after three years. I think it’s a shame we’re sitting here today, she said.
