Sentence for money laundering

The penalty for violation of section 338 subsection 1 cf. section 337 subsection 1 of the Penal Code was 120 days of imprisonment. The convicted person had laundered a money amount in excess of NOK 600 000, some of it generated from illicit work, which he knew, by receiving the money and disposing over it. The Supreme Court found that the total amount dealt with by the money launderer had to form the basis for the sentence without deduction for costs or other legitimate factors. In the individual sentencing process, the Court stressed that the money laundering was a necessary and important link in systematic and extensive activities that were highly harmful to society. The activity in itself would give a penalty of six to seven months of imprisonment. After a deduction for the convicted person's contribution to a smooth procedure and for over-lengthy proceedings, the penalty was set at 120 days of imprisonment. 

Read the whole judgment (Norwegian only)

Key paragraphs: 38, 47, 52

Area of law: Criminal law, receiving proceeds from crime, money laundering

Justices: Falkanger, Noer, Kallerud, Bergsjø, Thyness