Norwegian Red Party leader resigns over theft

The leader of Norway's far-left Red Party, Björnar Moxnes, announced on Monday that he was stepping down, Report informs.

The reason behind the decision was the scandal that erupted in June. Moxnes was caught red-handed at Oslo airport stealing sunglasses from a Hugo Boss boutique worth NOK 1,199 (about 100 euros).

Initially, the 41-year-old politician did not admit his guilt, claiming that he took the glasses by accident. But a surveillance video published by the media shows that Moxnes first ripped the tag off the glasses, then put them in a suitcase, and later put them in his pocket. On June 30, he was fined 3,000 crowns (about 250 euros) for theft. In a statement today, Moxnes admitted to stealing the glasses and said he "can't understand" why he did it.

On July 3, the Red Party announced that Moxnes was going on sick leave, and his deputy Marie Sneve Martinussen would be the interim leader. Now she will take over this position.