Nils Gustafsson's compensation doubles

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Bus driver Nils Gustafsson, the Espoo man who was acquitted last October on three charges of murder in the Bodom Lake case, dating back to 1960, is to receive EUR 44,900 from the state for wrongful imprisonment and a subsequent ban on travel.
      In January, the State Treasury estimated Gustafsson's loss of liberty as being worth EUR 19,200, while Gustafsson himself had filed a claim for EUR 137,000.
      After negotiations between Gustafsson and the State Provincial Office of Southern Finland, the sum was increased to avoid further court proceedings.
     
"It was Gustafsson's wish to settle the matter without further litigation", says his legal advisor Riitta Leppiniemi.
     
While the sum is more than double compared with the previous compensation promised in January, it is only one-third of the demands Gustafsson himself had put forward. On the other hand, this was apparently a sum that both parties could accept, bearing in mind the extremely severe charges and the exceptional publicity surrounding the case.
      According to Leppiniemi, her client is also seriously considering making claims for compensation against some media sources in connection with the investigation and trial. Leppiniemi does not mention any names, as the process is still under way.
      "My client feels that some information was insulting and he has decided to file a request with the police for an inquiry concerning some of the news items", Leppiniemi reports.
      After police investigations, it is up to the prosecutor to press charges if any. In any event, the process could take years.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Nils Gustafsson to be awarded nearly EUR 20,000 in damages (10.1.2006)

Helsingin Sanomat