Gjert Ingebrigtsen suing Norwegian state for 'unjustified criminal prosecution' in abuse case

Jakob (above), plus older brothers Henrik and Filip, who were also professional athletes, cut ties with their father as their coach in early 2022. Carina Johasen/NTB/AFP/Getty Images Share articleGjert Ingebrigtsen, father and former coach of Olympic champion Jakob, has filed for compensation against the Norwegian state for “unjustified criminal prosecution,” say his lawyers. Last year, Ingebrigtsen was tried and acquitted on charges of abuse in close relationships against Jakob and his younger sister Ingrid. However the 59-year-old was convicted on one charge of assault of Ingrid, relating to an incident in January 2022, when he whipped her with a towel during an argument. For that he was given a suspended 15-day prison sentence and ordered by the South Rogaland District Court to pay NOK 10,000 in compensation ($1,011; £1,143). Now 10 months on from the verdict, Ingebrigtsen is seeking compensation from the Norwegian state for “compensatory damages” as well as “documented loss of income, including future loss as a result of the case,” said his lawyers Heidi Reisvang and John Christian Elden in a press release. This is based on section 444 of the Norwegian Criminal Procedure Act. “The lengthy criminal prosecution has had significant consequences for Ingebrigtsen, both personally, familially and financially. The case has been very burdensome over time, with extensive public exposure and large costs,” they added in the statement. Reisvang added that they believed the case was “characterised from an early stage by a lack of objectivity.” The defence team are now arguing that the “the indictment should never have been brought”. Ingebrigtsen was acquitted because the court found insufficient evidence to prove beyond reasonable doubt the alleged physical and verbal abuse. Jakob, plus older brothers Henrik and Filip, who were also professional athletes, cut ties with their father as their coach in early 2022 after the assault of Ingrid. Gjert Ingebrigtsen continues to coach international middle-distance runners, although the Norwegian Athletics Federations refuses to provide him with accreditation for major championships. He requested to talk with The Athletic for a post-verdict interview because of our extensive coverage of the trial. “It was an unfortunate incident,” he said of the assault conviction. “We (he and Ingrid) had a tough discussion about something domestic. Sometimes you do things that are not representative (of yourself), it’s very unfortunate and I’m really sorry that happened. “But it’s a minor thing compared to the charges that were presented to me (brought on me). When you see the long list of really serious charges, ending up with this ‘thing’, it’s not worth dragging the family through another round by appealing,” he added. His lawyers said upon the verdict announcement that there were “no winners,” in the trial, something which Gjert Ingebrigtsen disagreed with when asked by The Athletic. “Of course, there is a winner when it comes to the verdict and the outcome of the case,” he said. “I’m partly responsible. I will never talk about this in a victorious way — ‘I beat you and I won the case’. For me, this is over, finished. I’m really sorry for having to have this trial.” Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms