The former mayor of Nittedal aims to return to her post by September 1st, after an appeals court acquitted her of corruption. Hilde Thorkildsen of the Labour Party had been accused of misuing her position in connection with a real estate development in the small town just north of Oslo.
Local newspaper Romerikes Blad reported her acquittal in July and that Thorkildsen was “so relieved” that the judges in two courts had believed her. She’d also been cleared by a lower court but prosecutors appealed, only to lose once again in a case that dragged on for several years.
“I’m very happy with the justice system we have in Norway,” Thorkildsen told newspaper VG. “Being acquitted in two lawsuits is good. I have told my story and been believed.” She also told VG that she expected to be back at work as mayor after two tough years. Her co-defendant in the case, a local businessman, was also acquitted.
She said she’d enjoyed strong support both from within the Labour Party and from party leaders, and had “a very good deputy mayor who has done a good job while I was away.”
NewsinEnglish.no staff
