Headline: Norwegian MP Gisle Meininger Saudland Charged with MDMA Import
Subhead: Frp politician not commenting on charges, party says behavior unacceptable if proven
Article:
A Norwegian MP from the Progress Party (Frp), Gisle Meininger Saudland, has been charged with importing MDMA after a quantity of the drug was found in his luggage at Oslo Airport Gardermoen in September last year. The 38-year-old, who is not seeking re-election in the upcoming parliamentary election, has not yet commented on the charges.
The Norwegian National Criminal Investigation Service (Kripos) has analyzed the substance seized from Saudland’s bag and confirmed it to be 0.98 grams of MDMA, the active ingredient in ecstasy tablets. MDMA is a central nervous system stimulant that has been used recreationally since the 1980s. According to Norwegian drug information service Rusopplysningen, one gram of MDMA is roughly equivalent to ten user doses.
Saudland is charged with importing a narcotic substance, an offense that typically carries a penalty of a fine or imprisonment of up to two years, according to Norwegian law. The prosecution has not ruled out the possibility of a fine, but the final decision will be made after Saudland has been heard in the case.
The Frp has a strict zero-tolerance policy towards drugs, and its ethical guidelines explicitly state that there is "null tolerance for narcotics in Frp." If Saudland is found guilty, the party has stated that his behavior would be unacceptable. Saudland is currently on sick leave and not attending parliamentary sessions. The party will consider any measures once a final verdict has been reached.
Saudland serves on the Labour and Social Affairs Committee in the Norwegian parliament. He has previously been a local politician in Flekkefjord and has chosen not to seek re-election due to the demands of his current lifestyle.
