Wolf activists' attackers avoid jail, for now

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Four drunken men who attacked the camp of activists trying to hinder last winter's controversial wolf hunt were given suspended jail sentences, fined and put on probation. Prosecutors may appeal.

The four men from Stor-Elvdal in eastern Norway have apologized to their victims and blamed their behavior on intoxication.

The two eldest, aged 25 and 29, were given 36-day suspended jail sentences and fined NOK 5,000 (about USD 550). The other two, both aged 21, were given suspended sentences of 24 and 14 days and fines of NOK 2,000 and NOK 5,000 respectively.

All four were put on probation for two years.

The court concluded that the defendants' intoxication, the fact they were thinlydressed in sub-freezing weather and poorly organized "contributed to making the situation less dangerous."

Prosecuting attorney Odd Henning Svalheim told news agency NTB that he will consider filing an appeal on behalf of the four mens' victims, who were terrorized in pre-dawn hours.

Aftenposten Interactive English Desk
Nina Berglund