Icelandic fishing giant Samherji demands N$4.5 million from student over Fishrot art hoax appeal

The corruption-accused Icelandic fishing company Samherji is demanding N$4.5 million from a student who issued Namibians a fake public apology for the Fishrot scandal in the name of art.

Oddur Friðriksson (41), a student at the University of Bergen, in a statement yesterday said the claim came after he refused to drop an appeal against Samherji, which has sued him over copyright infringement and malicious falsehood and won.

Friðriksson moved to appeal this judgement, but Samherji insisted that he stop the legal action.

“The day before the hearing, Samherji clarified it would waive costs if I chose not to appeal the judgement.

Upon my refusal, they abruptly escalated their claim, demanding over N$4 587 420 in costs – an inconsistent and coercive tactic that contradicts their previous offers,” he said.

Friðriksson said the move is an attempt to silence him for lashing out at Samherji for its role in the Fishrot fraud, corruption and racketeering case.

Samherji sued Friðriksson after the artist published a false public apology in May 2023 on a website he created, featuring Samherji’s logo and branding.

The website purported to apologise on Samherji’s behalf for bribing Namibian officials in exchange for horse mackerel fishing quotas – allegations the company denies.

Samherji in September argued that the website was designed to deceive people and infringed its copyright.

A judgement in favour of Samherji was delivered on 14 November.

Friðriksson appeared before the High Court in London on Tuesday to appeal this judgement.

He claims the lawsuit is an intimidation tactic.

“Their sudden demand for exorbitant costs reinforces the perception that this lawsuit is an intimidation tactic, aimed at discouraging public discourse on their accountability.

“The judge awarded partial costs to Samherji, however, payment has been paused pending the outcome of my appeal.

Samherji discontinued their trademark infringement claim, and the court ordered them to bear the costs related to that claim,” he says.

Friðriksson says the Fishrot scandal, widely regarded as the largest corruption case in the history of both Iceland and Namibia, has left a devastating impact.

According to a report published by Reuters in November, judge Paul Teverson ruled that Friðriksson had “no real prospect at trial of successfully defending the claimant’s claims”.

“I consider that this claim ought to be disposed of at this stage without the costs of a trial,” Teverson said in his written ruling.

“The defendant’s artwork has been performed. His hoax has taken place.”

The judge said he thought the payment of “a small sum” would cover any damage to Samherji.

According to Namibia’s extradition report, the three Icelanders wanted for extradition are Aldalsteinn Helgason, Engill Helgi Arnason and Ingvar Júlíusson – all former Samherji employees.

Samherji allegedly bribed Namibian officials and fishing company executives to obtain favourable treatment and access to Namibia’s fishing grounds.

Their co-accused are former cabinet ministers Bernhard Esau and Sacky Shanghala, Esau’s son-in-law Tamson ‘Fitty’ Haitukulipi, former Investec Asset Management Namibia managing director James Hatuikulipi, former Investec Namibia executive Ricardo Gustavo, and Pius Mwatelulo.

The six men are believed to have received over N$300 million in corrupt payments from Icelandic-owned companies in exchange for fishing quotas.