Two women were initially fined 10 and 000 crowns for partying during the coronavirus crisis. The women brought a case to the court. Now they have been convicted and the fines have increased.
On Sunday 15 November last year, Bergen police suspended a party with 15 attendees. It was a time when the city council banned private parties with more than five attendees. The police went to the address indicated and fined thirteen participants of the event. The other two people left the site before the police arrived.
Twelve participants received a fine of CZK 5 each and the event organizer was fined CZK 000.
The case went to court in June and the two women said they would try to check the validity of the basis of the fine before paying.
Increasing the penalty
On Wednesday, the Bergen Regional Court issued the verdict. It became clear that both women were sentenced to pay a fine for organizing and participating in the event.
As a result, the court considers it correct that the city council's decision stipulating that a maximum of five people may stay in the house. In addition, the Bergen Regional Court decides to increase the fine to 12 and 000 kronor.
- That the fines are slightly increased is completely non-dramatic, but in terms of the verdict. Of course, this is not the result we wanted. I will advise my clients to appeal, says women's defense attorney Didrik Beck Rodarte.
During the trial, the woman who hosted the party explained that she thought the rules were unclear and that it was difficult to tell what was legal and what was not.
The judgment stated that the court did not take this into account.
"Legitimate Purpose"
The real issue in this case is whether regulations regarding infection control measures affecting up to five people in private homes were valid or not.
During the trial, several city councilors were called to explain the process that led to the decision. The women's defense attorney said about the regulation as follows:
- This case is about the city council.
Both health councilor Beate Husa, prosecutor Gunnar Fløystad and former commune director Robert Rastad admitted. The process of introducing the five-person rule was quick.
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