Iceland’s Education Minister Resigns Over Past Relationship with Minor
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Synopsis
The resignation of Iceland's Education Minister, Asthildur Loa Thorsdottir, follows her admission of a past relationship with a minor. The controversial revelation has sparked public backlash and concerns over government stability.
Key Takeaways
- Asthildur Loa Thorsdottir resigned due to a past relationship with a minor.
- The relationship occurred over 30 years ago when she was 22.
- Asmundsson accused her of blocking access to their child.
- It is illegal for an adult in authority to engage with minors in Iceland.
- Thorsdottir cited potential government disruption as a reason for her resignation.
Reykjavik, March 22 (NationPress) The Minister for Education and Children’s Affairs in Iceland, Asthildur Loa Thorsdottir, has resigned following her admission of a former relationship with a 15-year-old boy she mentored more than thirty years ago, which led to the birth of a child.
In a conversation with the Icelandic news platform Visir, the 58-year-old official disclosed that the relationship commenced when she was 22 years old and employed as a counselor at a support organization.
At that time, the boy, Eirk Asmundsson, was 15, and their relationship resulted in the birth of a child when Asmundsson was 16 and Thorsdottir was 23.
The disclosure incited considerable controversy, particularly after Asmundsson accused her of obstructing his access to their child, despite fulfilling his child support obligations for 18 years.
Asmundsson remarked that although he was present during the birth and shared the child's initial year with them, his requests for visitation rights were consistently denied. Records from Iceland's Ministry of Justice reveal that his efforts to connect with his son were thwarted, escalating public outrage.
In Iceland, it is illegal for an adult in a position of authority, such as a mentor or educator, to engage in a sexual relationship with a minor under the age of 18, a violation that can lead to a prison sentence of up to three years.
The resignation occurred after a relative of Asmundsson reportedly sought to engage with Iceland's Prime Minister regarding the matter. In light of this, Thorsdottir opted to resign, citing concerns over potential disruptions to government functions.
“We understand the nature of the news today, and we realize that issues like this, if I were to remain in office, would be continuously revisited, preventing any semblance of peace within the government,” she expressed.
