Anyone who believes that Norway is a society governed by the rule of law encounters difficulties when attempting to explain the treatment of Lillian Gran. Gran has first spent five months in maximum pre-trial detention at Ravneberget Prison in Sarpsborg. Gran endured it, believing that she would be released once the authorities no longer had legal authority to keep her imprisoned. But then another possibility emerged: compulsory observation.

Gran was transferred to Østmarka, a department under St. Olav in Trondheim, on 21 April. Here she has been admitted in order to be assessed by two psychologists. Here too there are limits on how long she may be held. But for Gran entirely different limits apply, that is, it appears as though no limits at all apply in her case.

The compulsory observation had been fixed at six weeks. That is quite a long period of time for two professionals to assess “criminal responsibility” (skyldevne).

But when the period expires, a new message arrives: the compulsory observation is extended until 17 June. At the same time, she is harassed by three police officers who come and confiscate her only means of communication with the outside world.

On Tuesday we received this message:

Hello

It is Lillian writing to you. Three police officers came and took the telephone and PC today. I have got the PC back, but they had a search warrant decision from Judge Terje Lundby Michaelsen regarding the telephone.

The justification is that an SMS message is alleged to have been sent from a telephone to her daughter.

Today “evidence” was presented that I should have sent an SMS to my daughter on 13 May 2026 at 10.42. This is not correct because 1. I did not have access to any PC or mobile phone before 12.00 on certain days. 2. I have not had access to mobile number ……. since 2 December 2025, and 3. I have not done this — something they will see in the seizure.

This is the same type of accusation that has previously been made, and which has been made into a major issue.

Lillian Gran is denied contact with her children, who are in foster care with their biological father.

To punish a mother with five months of pre-trial detention for an SMS message, and now an extended compulsory observation because of a new SMS, is beyond any rational justification.

It reeks of abuse and arbitrariness.

The only thing police prosecutor Wenche Brandstad had to present was that an SMS had been sent from a mobile phone to the daughter. This SIM card belongs to Lillian’s mother, who has carried out online tasks for Lillian. It appears contrived that Lillian should have sent an SMS from a telephone she does not control.

In light of the treatment Lillian has received, it cannot be ruled out that this is a provocation.

Has it come so far in this country that the prosecuting authority may do as it pleases?

Lillian Gran is an intelligent woman who has stepped on a few toes, and those who have been affected possess the power to make an example of her.

It does not appear as though those responsible for her case have any limitations. The methods to which she is subjected are beyond all proportionality. These judges and police prosecutors demonstrate contempt for the law.

The judge in Hamar on Wednesday was Atle Løhren Hess. It was he who extended the compulsory observation until 17 June.

Only public opinion can stop them.

If they get away with this, they can do it to anyone.