Soldiers fined after forcing new recruits to take part in naked jog at –20C
All six recruits received first and second degree frostbite and had to be hospitalised
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Three soldiers have been fined after ordering a group of new recruits to jog naked in sub-zero temperatures during an unauthorised exercise.
All three Norwegian soldiers, affiliated with Brigade North, received fines for causing bodily harm and two were also punished for carrying military weapons above their rank.
A military police investigation was launched after the trio forced six junior soldiers to jog in temperatures of -20C without shoes or clothes from their barracks in Setermoen, northern Norway on 19 January 2015.
All six recruits received first and second degree frostbite and had to be hospitalised following the unauthorised exercise.
At the time of the incident, Colonel Fred Arne Jacobsen of Brigade North told Norwegian broadcaster NRK: “They've got strong frostbite. Three of them are so severely damaged that they have been sent to the University Hospital of North Norway in Tromso to be checked by professionals there.
“I've never experienced anything like this before, and it can neither be justified or accepted.”
None of the recruits suffered permanent damage from the incident, however police attorney, Goril Lund, told NRK the three soldiers could have faced more severe penalties had the recruits' injuries persisted.
The three soldiers have been ordered to pay 12,000 krone (£1,020), 7,000 krone (£590) and 4,000 krone (£340) respectively.
All three have accepted the fines and will not face military discipline in addition to the their civil punishment.
Army spokesperson, Obit Aleksander Jankov, previously told Dagbladet newspaper: “This kind of thing is not supposed to happen.
“Boys and girls called up for military service for the first time should be brought into a safe environment. Consequently we are taking this incident very seriously.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments