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– If the weapon is here, then it may be well hidden by vegetation. It’s very poor visibility and a time-consuming search, says Mayor Emil Fadler Kvamme of Minesweeper Command, a Navy department with specially trained divers.
This week, they are helping the police search for a firearm in a small pond near the center of Askim.
The weapon they are looking for is said to have been used to kill Christian Halvorsen in his own garden in July.
Christian Halvorsen was found shot to death in Askim in July.
Photo: Private
– It is information from the investigation that makes us search this water, says police prosecutor Torgeir Lutro in the East police district.
What if a weapon is found?
– In that case, it will be one of several evidence in the case.
The Armed Forces assist with divers and metal detectors in the search.
It is in this pond in Askim that the police and the Armed Forces are now searching for a murder weapon.
Photo: Tomas Berger / NRK
– Evidence too weak
It was on July 12 of this year that Halvorsen, 43, was found dead in Askim. The autopsy report showed that he died from gunshot wounds.
Both an ambulance helicopter and large police forces were dispatched to the scene after Halvorsen was found dead, but his life could not be saved.
Two men were arrested in July and charged with murder or complicity in murder. One of them was released in October.
The other was in custody on Monday for four more weeks. He has been prohibited from receiving letters and visits during the entire prison term.
Attorney John Arild Aasen, who is defending the incarcerated man, tells NRK that they will appeal the decision.
– We think it is wrong and there is too weak evidence for my client to be incarcerated, he says.
What do you think of the research that is being done now at Askim?
– The police are investigating this to the full extent, we understand. But whether they make a breakthrough remains to be seen, he says.
Documents closed
The police have withheld information about the case despite the fact that four months have passed since Halvorsen was killed.
The documents of the case have been closed and the media is denied access to prison sentences.
– The documents have also been closed to my client, so he does not know anything about the details of the case. But now it looks like we’ll finally get a fix, so you can see the docs, Aasen says.
Police lawyer Torgeir Lutro has little information to share with the media after the Askim murder in July.
Photo: Birger Kjølberg / NRK
Police attorney Lutro does not want to comment on the details of the case to NRK and notes that it is out of consideration for the investigation.
– But this is a case that we are investigating with great resources. We believe there is good progress in the investigation, but there is still some interrogation and tactical investigations, he says.
