Acquitted in fish quota case seek compensation

Almost two years after acquittal in a fish quota fraud case, demands for compensation persist. Henning Kjeldsen and the company Gitte Henning Pelagic A/S are among those seeking reparations. A total of 50.8 million Danish kroner is being claimed by six acquitted individuals and the company, with the largest claim of 49.7 million kroner sought by Gitte Henning Pelagic A/S, primarily for legal defense costs. Kjeldsen himself is asking for 393,500 kroner, partly for psychological harm. Initially fined 54 million kroner, Kjeldsen’s conviction was overturned by the Vestre Landsret, citing lack of legislative support for punishment. The acquitted also include an auditor and his company, claiming over 505,000 kroner and over 5 million kroner in damages, respectively. The State Prosecutor’s office has mostly dismissed the claims, offering only minor compensations for transportation and search-related costs. As the lawsuit continues, the extent of restitution remains to be decided by the Holstebro court.