A shock

Stina Brendemo Hagen (19), Madeleine Rodriguez (23), and Christina Øygarden (19) had their hopes of a trial dashed, after Bolivian authorities adjourned planned legal proceedings against them last Friday.

The three women were arrested at Cochabamba airport in May last year, after attempting to take out 22 kilos of cocaine with a street value estimated to be in the region of 20 million kroner.

“We’re all furious. We just wanted to get started, and have been looking forward to the trial,” Hallgeir Øygarden, Christina’s father told Aftenposten, having repeatedly claimed that his daughter would be freed, meaning that they could travel home together.

Although Øygarden was released by a court from custody in San Sebastian jail in October, when it came to light that the strength of allegations against her had been somewhat weakened.

Extradition

Friday’s adjournment also came as a blow to Hagen who’d hoped to serve her sentence in Norway, saying she’d only accept a conviction if she was extradited.

“Let’s say that I get 15 years. We could appeal, but I think I’d accept the ruling and travel back to Norway to serve time there. I’m not going to sit and rot here for that long,” she told VG.

Even though nothing formally prevents Norway and Bolivia brokering a deal for all three to serve time in their home country, according to the Norwegian Foreign Office, Cynthia O. Escobar – one of the public prosecutors involved in the case – informed the paper it’s unlikely.

“I don’t believe it’s possible as long as there are no proceedings against them in Norway, even if they are convicted here.

“Not interested”

Meanwhile Rodriguez said she’d prefer to spend her jail term in Bolivia, even though her two year-old daughter she had with her at the time of her arrest has since been reunited with her Norwegian relatives.

“I have no interest in coming to Norway. The only thing that means anything to me there is my daughter.”