BODØ (Dagbladet): “The Øystein boy” – hoped they would finally get justice. And that the municipality of Værøy must admit that it is responsible for the cruel upbringing of the three Johansen brothers, who grew up in Værøy.
Ronald (59), Ståle (62) and Bjørn (67) have sued the municipality of Værøy and believe that the small municipality at the edge of Lofoten takes responsibility for the brothers’ bad childhood.
After being initially dismissed by the Salten District Court and the Hålogaland Court of Appeal, the country’s supreme court, the Supreme Court, decided that the Hålogaland Court of Appeal should still consider whether “The boy from Øystein” had to have the case tried in the municipality of Værøy.
After the “Øystein-ungan” brothers and municipal director Erling Sandnes gave their parties’ explanations, prosecutor Bjørnar Eirik Stokkan took a surprising step to reach an agreement between the parties.
Lagmann Stokkan justified this with the fact that an agreement would lead to a final solution, to the benefit of all parties.
The brothers – Bjørn (67), Ståle (62) and Ronald Johansen (59) – sued the municipality of Værøy for gross negligence. On Thursday, the Hålogaland Court of Appeals was due to decide whether the sibling group should reopen the case or whether the case should be dismissed.
Back in the “house of evil”
Horrible education
While the brothers believe their case should be tried in court, the municipality of Værøy believes the case is out of date. The Hålogaland Court of Appeal should decide whether the conditions are out of date, as the municipality of Værøy and their legal representative, lawyer Thomas Benson, believe. Now the whole case has been suspended, after the judge asked the parties to conclude a settlement.
Neither Salt District Court or the Hålogaland Court of Appeal rejected or questioned the brothers’ cruel upbringing. The question is whether the lawsuit against the municipality of Værøy is barred, as the law essentially states.
At the same time, the Johansen brothers’ lawyers argued that there are several exceptions in the law, which indicate that the case is not barred.
LACK OF CARE: Vanya, Ståle, Ronald and Bjørn Johansen (formerly) were abused and abused while growing up. Photo: Henning Lillegård / Dagbladet
sea View
The brothers have already stepped forward and told their story in Dagbladet. Now they hope that the legal system will allow them to tell their story and that the municipality of Værøy will be held legally liable for gross negligence.
“Nobody cared”
During the negotiations to decide whether the brothers would try the case, the brothers explained about their upbringing. A childhood characterized by mistreatment, abuse, violence and gross negligence.
– Everyone knew what happened to us. But nobody cared, Bjørn Johansen tells Dagbladet.
In court, Bjørn Johansen stated:
– I forgave our mother, she was mentally ill. But the municipality of Værøy? No! Now the mayor of Værøy has sent us an invitation, but he has not contacted us, but the local newspaper.
Brothers too Steel and Ronald explained his painful childhood in court.
Psychological terror
Ståle Johansen described childhood as a time of uncertainty and fear.
– Fighting and arguing. We were hunted naked in the winter and had to let go of our legs in order not to freeze to death. We were locked up in small boxes and thrown into the coal pit for several hours. Our hands were burned on the stove to punish us.
– We lived a childhood where psychological terror was our life, Ståle Johansen told the court.
JUSTICE: Deputy prosecutor Oda Fjon represents the brothers Bjørn (tv) and Ståle Johansen. Brothers want justice. Photo: Henning Lillegård / Dagbladet
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During the prosecution, it emerged that the “Øystein youth” had been exposed to severe sexual abuse, both by family members and others during their childhood.
– The bad thing is that the municipality of Værøy knows what we’ve been through. They know what happened. I just sincerely hope the municipality doesn’t get away with it, he said Ronald Johansen in court.
brothers sister, Vanya Johansen, was also present during the judicial proceedings. If her siblings are supported by the Hålogaland Court of Appeal, she too will join the case against the municipality of Værøy.
Obsolescence
The brothers’ lawyers, lawyer Oda Fjon and lawyer Jan Inge Thesen argued that the case was not time-barred. Lawyer Thomas Benson, representing the municipality of Værøy, believed the law was clear and the case was out of date.
During the negotiations at the Hålogaland Court of Appeal, the municipal director Erling Sandnes was present in the municipality of Værøy.
Sandnes does not wish to comment on the case until a final court decision is prepared.
Following the judge’s initiative, which both the brothers and the municipality of Værøy were positive about, the case and the closure procedures have been postponed until the municipality can discuss whether they are willing to enter into an agreement.
