Árni Johnsen (1 March 1944 – 6 June 2023) was an Icelandic journalist, politician, musician and athlete from Vestmannaeyjar, who represented the Independence Party in the Althing as a member of the South Constituency.
[1] Árni was born in Vestmannaeyjar to Poul C. Kanélas, an American soldier of Greek ancestry who was stationed in Iceland during World War II,[2] and Ingibjörg Á.
He served as a debuty member of Alþingi from 1988 to 1991 and a full time member from 1991 until his resignation on 19 July 2001 after it was revealed he had used funds from the National Theatre of Iceland to purchase goods for his personal use.
[5][6] In 2002 he was convicted of paying for personal property using government accounts and sentenced to two years in prison.
[8][9] Árni died at the Healthcare Institution of South Iceland in Vestmannaeyjar on 6 June 2023, at the age of 79.