Five Danish fishermen charged with a variety of offences relating to the death of 41-year-old Alf Villum Jensen on board Hvide Sande fishing vessel Inger Katrine have been freed by a court in Holstebro.
There had been a unanimous Not Guilty plea by the crew of Inger Katrine throughout the eleven-day trial, during which each of them was questioned, witnesses were also questioned and expert opinion was presented.
The court heard how there had been an altercation on board the vessel between the deceased and the rest of the crew, including an attempt to set the boat on fire, after which the deceased was forcibly restrained – resulting in the charge of deprivation of liberty, in addition to the manslaughter and assault charges.
By the time Alf Villum Jensen was airlifted off the boat, he was reported to be alive.
The court found that the crew of Inger Katrine are not guilty of the murder of Alf Villum Jensen, and that such a crime would have had to have been committed “by prior agreement or by common understanding”.
