Life imprisonment in Iceland is legal and the most severe punishment available under the Icelandic penal code since the death penalty was formally abolished in 1928. According to the General Penal Code from 1944 imprisonment may be imposed for life or for a certain period, not shorter than 30 days and not longer than 16 years. However, in special cases it is permissible to increase the punishment from 16 years to 20 years.[1]