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The newspaper reported that the note said Falkevik Hagen would be killed if police were involved. Broeske declined to comment other than saying “the threats (in the note) were of a very serious character.”

“The reason for us to go public with this case now is that despite a broad and extensive investigation, we need more information,” Broeske told a news conference.

Photo by Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB Scanpix / AFP

He said police had no suspects so far. Police have been “on the case for several weeks. That is all I’d say,” he added. Police had no indication whether Falkevik Hagen was dead or alive.

Broeske said “those behind have chosen to communicate digitally and we have had no other type of contact.” Police had urged the family not to pay any ransom.

Svein Holden, Hagen’s lawyer, told reporters the abduction was “a cruel and an inhuman act.” “It is demanding and exhausting to be in such a situation over a long period of time,” he said.

Police believe she disappeared from the couple’s home, some 50 kilometres (31 miles) from the Swedish border. Broeske said they were working with Europol and Interpol on the case.

Justice Minister Tor Mikkel Wara told NTB that he was informed about her disappearance “right after it happened.”