Two British men are being held in the same high-security Norwegian prison as mass murderer Anders Breivik after being accused of money laundering.
Dad-of-one Samuel Cook, 31, and another man, yet to be named but understood to be a former Royal Marine, were transporting £1.5million of silver coins while working as close protection officers.
The pair were hired by a UK-based company to move the 500kg load across Oslo but were stopped by police on their way to drop off the huge trove.
They were then arrested on suspicion of aggravated robbery, according to Samuel’s dad, Steve Cook, 54.
For more than a month, the duo who usually deliver goods or protect high-profile individuals have been locked up in high-security Ringerike Prison – famous for housing Neo-Nazi killer Anders Breivik.
The mass murderer killed 77 people, mostly teenagers, in Norway in 2011 after he went on a bombing and shooting rampage at a summer youth camp.
The protection officers are now set to stay for another four weeks in the terrifying compound after local police successfully appealed to hold them for longer last Thursday.
Alongside the Exeter-local and the Marine, around 160 long-term and high risk prisoners are normally housed in Ringerike Prison which is surrounded by a 7metre high wall.
Samuel Cook, 31, is being held in a high-security Norwegian prison alongside another Brit after being accused of money laundering
The close protection officer was transporting £1.5million of silver coins but was arrested on suspicion of aggravated robbery on their way to drop off the huge 500kg load in Oslo
His ‘distraught’ parents have only heard from Samuel a few times and said he does not know why he is being held at the prison
Translated Oslo District Court documentation claimed it was deemed highly probable that the silver coins were proceeds of illegal activity.
The Court of Appeal argued the circumstances suggest that Samuel and his colleague ‘most likely understood’ that the coins may have been obtained through criminal offences.
But Steve and wife Sarah Cook, 50, said the men have no idea why they have been held, believing it was a simple, straightforward job to transport goods.
The ‘distraught’ parents added that Samuel – who is registered disabled due to having bipolar disorder, ADHD and depression – has no criminal record, and would not knowingly commit a crime.
‘As far as Samuel and his co-worker were concerned, it was all legal, and above board,’ the terrified father said.
‘The role is to do secure deliveries and escorting people but you don’t really know your mission until you arrive.
‘They were hired as couriers in good faith.
‘We don’t think they’ve been charged but it’s been a month and they haven’t been released.
For more than a month, the duo who usually deliver goods or protect high-profile individuals have been locked up in high-security Ringerike Prison
‘Apparently they were first arrested for aggravated burglary.
‘They were getting £250 a day, for three days. Who would risk prison for £750?’
Samuel’s solicitor, Odd Martin Helleland confirmed his client has been charged with negligent money laundering and was further detained because Oslo District Court felt there was ‘reasonable ground for suspicion’.
The pair were hired on April 21 by a company who contracted their workplace, and their transport and accommodation was arranged for them, Steve says.
They flew out to Oslo from Heathrow soon after, and were arrested on 22nd April.
Steve said the British Embassy this week informed him the reason for their detention is now considered alleged ‘negligent money laundering’ rather than robbery.
It is understood the two men were not known to each other before taking on the assignment.
Samuel’s family said they have spoken to their son a handful of times since he was detained and he seemed ok but was lacking sleep.
Samuel is staying in the same high-security prison as mass murderer Anders Breivik (pictured in a courtroom in 2016)
What the police believe is gunman Anders Breivik disguised as a police officer walking with a gun in hand among bodies as he went on a 90 minute killing spree
Breivik was sentenced to 21 years in jail, the harshest penalty possible under Norwegian law, for killing 77 people in a bomb and gun attack in July 2011 (pictured are victims of the attack)
A FCDO (Foreign Office) Spokesperson said: ‘We are supporting two British men detained in Norway and are in contact with the local authorities’.
The Norwegian Correctional Service said it is ‘prohibited by law from disclosing information about individual inmates’.
A spokesperson for Oslo Politidistrikt – the Oslo police – said: ‘This case has been transferred to the National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime (Økokrim).’
State prosecutor Jon André Hvoslef-Eide, of Økokrim said: ‘We can confirm that the arrests are linked to an investigation in Norway.
‘The investigation is ongoing, and we therefore have no further comments.’
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .