(ANSA) - PERUGIA, 03 FEB - The Halogoaland Court of Appeal declared Andrey Yakunin "innocent" in relation to his arrest in Norway for having flown a drone during an excursion.
The tycoon of Russian origin but with a British passport was blocked in October by local authorities.
Among other things, he leads the board of directors of Antognolla, a luxury resort and residence on the hills of Perugia.
His entourage announced that after the first instance acquittal, the Norwegian appeal court also ruled that national regulations do not prevent the use of drones for recreational purposes.
Yakunin said he was "very satisfied" with the court's decision.
“I am delighted that respect for the rule of law and common sense have prevailed. From day one I have argued that it is legal for anyone with a British passport to fly a drone for purely recreational purposes. 'appeal can close this matter", says the entrepreneur.
“The Court of Appeal ruled that Norwegian national law is not intended to target the use of drones for recreational purposes by tourists,” says Yakunin's defense lawyer John Christian Elden of Elden Advokatfirma.
He announced that he will await the prosecution's assessment of a possible appeal before considering further action in the matter.
The prosecution could in fact appeal to the Supreme Court,
"Yakunin was acquitted in two courts after spending almost two months in pre-trial detention for using a drone as a hobby during his vacation on Svalbard last summer. We hope that the prosecution mends his sentence and accepts the sentence," says lawyer Bernt Heiberg by Elden Advokatfirma, the other defender.
"In many cases - he adds -, not just that of Andrey Yakunin, innocent tourists have been put in prison because the government did not understand the mandate given to them by Parliament".
(HANDLE).