'Kidnappers' send new message to Norwegian millionaire Tom Hagen
Anne-Elisabeth Falkevik Hagen has been missing since 31 October but details of the case only emerged earlier this month.
Thursday 24 January 2019 18:34, UK
The lawyer of one of Norway's richest men, whose missing wife is believed to have been abducted, has received a new message from people who claim to be "in control" of her.
Anne-Elisabeth Falkevik Hagen has been missing since 31 October but details of the case only emerged earlier this month.
She is the wife of property investor Tom Hagen and kidnappers are reported to be demanding €9m (£7.8m).
Mr Hagen's lawyer Svein Holden said they received another message from the group claiming to be in control of her but have no indication about whether she is alive or not.
Mr Holden said: "The digital platform on which the message arrived is not suited for it to be answered and that is the reason for me standing here today and me saying what I am saying.
"The family is now strengthened in their hope that Anne-Elisabeth is alive and wants to do what we can to make her come home safely.
"We want to establish better contact with those who have Anne-Elisabeth."
The message was received on 16 January.
A note was found at the couple's home in Oslo which described what would happen to the 68-year-old if the ransom was not paid.
But police have urged the family not to pay the money, which was demanded in cryptocurrency.
Officers have not released many details about the case, but the appeal on 9 January brought in hundreds of tips.
Some said they saw men with long lens cameras on the edge of the lake next to the Hagen house. In recent days, divers have searched the waters for possible clues.
Mr Hagen is number 172 on a list of Norway's wealthiest men and is estimated to be worth 1,7bn kroner (£152m).