Man in his 30s arrested in connection with the disappearance of Anne-Elisabeth Hagen

The Norwegian police have arrested a 30-year-old man in connection with the investigation into the missing Anne-Elisabeth Hagen, a case that has attracted considerable attention in Norway.

In a press release, Norwegian police write that the man, who was arrested in Olso, is suspected of murder or assisting in the murder of Anne-Elisabeth Hagen, according to Norwegian newspaper VG. 

According to the police, the man who has expertise in IT and cryptocurrency should have a relationship with Tom Hagen. Early in the investigation when Anne-Elisabeth Hagen was reported kidnapped, the alleged kidnappers demanded a ransom of 90 million Norwegian kroner in the form of cryptocurrency.

Hagen's defense has previously used the fact that Tom Hagen himself lacks the digital skills needed to handle cryptocurrency, as an argument that it cannot be he who has behind the demands for the ransom.

According to the press release from the police, the arrest was speeded up after the court decided to release the detained Tom Hagen during yesterday. The police cannot rule out more arrests in the case.

The man's lawyer Dag Svensson tells VG that the man denies the charges.

"He has been questioned, it is unclear if he will be heard again during the day. He thinks the charges are absurd, ”Dag Svensson told VG.

According to NRK, the man is not previously convicted.

Billionaire Tom Hagen is suspected of murdering his wife Anne-Elisabeth Hagen, who has been missing since October 2018. He has been detained for 11 days.

However, the evidence is considered to be weak and the court decided on May 7 that he should be released from custody. Tom Hagen's lawyer expects him to be released on May 8. Tom Hagen denies the charges.