Helge Solum Larsen
Helge Solum Larsen (14 January 1969 – 18 December 2015) was a Norwegian businessman and politician for the Liberal Party. He served as deputy leader of the party from 2010 to 2012.
Political career
From 1994 to 1997 he was leader of the Young Liberals of Norway, the youth wing of the Liberal Party.[1] He served as a deputy representative to the Parliament of Norway from Rogaland during the terms 1997–2001 and 2005–2009.[2]
In local politics he served several terms in Stavanger city council. He chaired the city's party chapter from 2000 to 2005 and the countywide party chapter from 2005 to 2010.[1] In 2008 he was elected to the national party board. He was elected deputy leader of the Liberal Party at the 2010 party convention.
He was a goldsmith by education.[1]
2012 rape allegations
On 7 February 2012, both the Liberal Party and the police made statements confirming that Solum Larsen was under investigation for raping a 17-year-old girl at the Rogaland Liberal Party's annual congress in Suldal. In tears, party leader Trine Skei Grande later confirmed that Solum Larsen would resign from all party positions, calling it a "gruesome" situation.[3] and said he had committed a "breach of confidence".[4]
Solum Larsen was admitted to the psychiatric clinic at Stavanger University Hospital.[5] and discharged from hospital on Saturday 18 February 2012. Solum Larsen was arrested and interrogated the same day. He was released from custody after a couple of days in anticipation of indictment.[6] The charges were however, dismissed by the police on 3 October 2012.[7] The lawyer representing the alleged victim stated she was "completely devastated" by the decision.[8] And the leader of the Young liberals, where the girl is a member, Sveinung Rotevatn said it was still a major violation on Larsens part.[9]
The 17-year-old girl and her lawyer appealed the case, and stated that they wanted to take the case to court.[10] On 22 January 2013, the Norwegian Prosecuting Authority declined to prosecute the case, and effectively dismissed the charges due to lack of evidence.[11]
Death
Solum Larsen died from a sudden illness on 18 December 2015.[12]
References
- 1 2 3 "Helge Solum Larsen". Liberal Party.
- ↑ "Helge Solum Larsen" (in Norwegian). Stortinget.no.
- ↑ "Solum Larsen anmeldt for voldtekt". Stavanger Aftenblad (in Norwegian).
- ↑ Hagesæther, Pål (2012-02-08). "Et tillitsbrudd". Aftenposten. Retrieved 2015-12-30.
- ↑ Løset, Kjetil (2012-02-08). "Venstre nestleder anmeldt for voldtekt". Tv2.no. Retrieved 2015-12-30.
- ↑ Teige, Ingvil (2012-06-15). "Solum Larsen-saken ikke klar før etter sommeren". Tv2 (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2015-12-30.
- ↑ Peters, Tim (3 October 2012). "Skei Grande: - Jeg håper begge fortsatt vil ha kontakt med meg". Vg.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 3 October 2012.
- ↑ Tonstad, Per Lars (3 October 2012). "- Hun er helt knust". Dagbladet (in Norwegian). Retrieved 3 October 2012.
- ↑ Kristiansen, Bjørn (3 October 2012). "- For partiets del er det uansett et tillitsbrudd". Dagbladet. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
- ↑ "Anker henleggelsen av Solum Larsen saken". aftenposten.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 9 October 2012.
- ↑ Jupsås, Stein Halvor. "Saken mot Solum-Larsen henlegges". Aftenposten.no. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
- ↑ Eriksen, Nicolai (19 December 2015). "Helge Solum Larsen er død". Dagbladet (in Norwegian). Retrieved 19 December 2015.
| Preceded by Per Tore Woie |
Leader of Young Liberals of Norway 1994–1997 |
Succeeded by Sverre Molandsveen |